Singapore's most prominent sports' administrator working overseas has emerged as a front runner to take over from Winston Lee as Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general-secretary.
According to The New Paper and Straits Times, Premier League Thailand deputy CEO Benjamin Tan will vie with Lee's deputy Yazeen Buhari for the position.
Lee announced last week that he will leave FAS at the end of this month after a decade in the job and more than 18 years serving Singapore football.
Tan, 41, has been working in Thailand, which boasts Southeast Asia's top league, since 2016 after previously serving the AFC as head of club competitions.
He was also FAS deputy director of development and planning between 2014 and 2016.
39-year-old Yazeen Buhari has a background as a match official and was a FIFA referee from 2011 to 2013.
His varied experience includes head of development and planning at AFC and roles at Singapore Athletics and Sport Singapore, in addition to various FAS jobs.
Yazeen will take over at the start of next year after Lee's departure in a caretaker capacity before a full-time appointment is made.
"At this critical juncture, I am thoroughly focused on implementing the many changes that will be taking place in the FAS over the next few months," Yazeen told The Straits Times.
"Our football needs to be future-ready for desired outcomes and I'm happy to note our engagements with relevant stakeholders have been positive for that to materialise."
Hougang United coach Philippe Aw says either candidate would be a worthy replacement for Lee.
"Both exude good vibes, they are young and enthusiastic. As long as their hearts are in the right place, both men have the capabilities to improve Singapore football," Aw told The New Paper. "In fact, it would be better if they work hand-in-hand.
"But whoever takes on this role must be empowered and trusted to do the job. He will have to ensure a good ecosystem is in place, and must unite all partners, namely the FAS, Ministry of Education, People's Association and Sport Singapore.
"He also needs to ensure a stringent process of quality checks on the people the FAS is employing.
"This is definitely the right time for a change as we are in bad shape, so we might as well give it a good shot."
The Singapore national team failed to win a game at senior level in 2017, while all four domestic trophies were won by Japanese invitees Albirex Niigata (S).