Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
NEWLY appointed coach Rene Weber is looking to revive DPMM FC after a disappointing campaign last season.
The Brunei side took a huge slide from their 2015 S.League title winning campaign to finish second from bottom in the nine-team table last season - only managing five wins and two draws from 24 matches.
Newly appointed coach Rene Weber hopes to bring DPMM FC back up after a dismal campaign last year. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Weber, who succeeded Steve Kean, conducted his first training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday and is in a positive mood.
“I hope we will have a good season as I want to show that we can play football. This is because football is the best entertainment in the world,” said Weber in an interview with BruSports News yesterday.
“My big challenge and task is to make DPMM FC play good football and win. I also want to finish in the top-four in the league,” added the former Brazil under-20 coach.
The Brazilian, who has over 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, felt that the opening session was good and expects things to pick up further in the upcoming weeks.
“It was good. The players just came back from a 40-day vacation and of course they will feel tired which is normal,” said Weber.
“We will do it step by step with stronger training for the upcoming weeks. We also hope for a good pre-season once everything has been decided,” added the 56-year-old.
Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos (C) controlling the ball during a training session yesterday at the Jerudong Mini Stadium. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Weber was the general coordinator of Sao Paolo for almost two years before coming to the Sultanate.
It was the first time he was doing a job which didn’t require him to be on the field and felt that there was a need to get back to it.
“I’m usually on the field as the coach - the field is my life as a player before and I wanted to be back on the grass,” explained Weber.
“I have come back to the field which I know more of and I want to be able to do a good job,” he added.
When asked on why he chose to come to Brunei, Weber replied: “I’m used to working outside (of Brazil).
“Brunei is fifth country having been to Peru, Portugal, UAE and Qatar.
“I know how to work outside and there is a big challenge ahead of me to make this team strong again,” he added.
Brunei is the fifth country that Weber is coaching in. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
The coach also revealed that DPMM FC are looking to sign four imports for the new season with two of them being under the age of 25.
Nine foreign players are currently on trial with the club which include 2011 S.League Young Player of the Year Tatsuro Inui, who was part of the 2016 Albirex Niigata FC (S) title winning squad.
In addition, DPMM FC have also roped in a new fitness coach Luciano Ilha. The Brazilian has worked together with Weber for seven years.
The 2018 S.League season is slated to kick off on March 31.
