Following the appointment of Guy Martens as Singapore's goalkeeping coach on Thursday, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois predicted that his Belgium countryman would add value to Singapore football.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed the appointment of 56-year-old Martens -- formerly goalkeeping coach with Belgian club KRC Genk where Courtois started his senior career in 2009 -- on the day that the national team faced Syria in a World Cup qualifier in Oman.
Genk -- who groomed experienced European goalkeepers such as Laszlo Koteles and Sinan Bolat not to speak of Spanish and English league winner Courtois -- will work with FAS technical director Michel Sablon to improve the standards of local goalkeeping coaches.
Martens' appointment can be considered a big coup for Singapore football, as Courtois revealed that he recommended his former mentor to join Jose Mourinho's coaching setup.
Despite Martens signing only a short-term contract till the end of the year with FAS, Courtois is confident he will be able to boost the standards of Singapore's goalkeeping coaches, which, in turn, will benefit local goalkeepers.
"Singapore will definitely benefit from having Guy on board," said Courtois. "He is the best goalkeeper coach I have ever worked with and I learnt everything from him. He is very special and committed, and helped me improve as a player. I am sure he will improve any goalkeeper he works with in Singapore."
Martens gave a vote of confidence to Sablon and the FAS for their vision to improve Singapore football.
"I had intended to take a break after 25 years of coaching. But when Michel shared with me his exciting plans for Singapore football, I decided to take up the offer on a short-term basis," said Martens.
"I could have remained in Europe but I decided to take up this challenge as I strongly believe in the vision and direction provided by FAS.
"I am aware that FAS faces challenges such as budgetary limitations. But I believe its strong leadership will bring success. I look forward to playing my part in raising Singapore football to the next level, especially guiding the goalkeepers and goalkeeping coaches."
Singapore international goalkeepers Izwan Mahbud and Hassan Sunny are widely considered the best in the ASEAN region.