KUALA LUMPUR: Once considered an outcast, Indonesia's Paulus Firman is now Singapore's doubles head coach.
The former BA of Malaysia (BAM) mixed doubles chief told Timesport that he has joined the Causeway neighbours on a two-year contract.
Paulus' main target would be to lead Singapore's top doubles pairs to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"It took me a while to come out because I had to make sure everything was settled first.
"I needed some time off after Malaysia to sort out family matters back home (Indonesia) and now can finally confirm that I have joined the Singapore national team.
"I officially started coaching last week and will be assisted by Lim Pek Siah (former BAM women's doubles coach)," said Paulus, who guided world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to the world top 10.
Paulus, 54, first joined the BAM as men's doubles coach in 2013 before leaving 10 months later to become head coach for the Philippines' national team.
The Indonesian then returned to Malaysia for the second time in 2018 as men's doubles coach, but two years later was surprisingly moved to the mixed doubles department, despite producing good results with Aaron-Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
It is learnt that Paulus, who already felt hard done by this change, chose not to renew his contract with BAM in April.
On his new role with the Singapore national team, Paulus said: "So far, everything is good. Unlike in Malaysia, the pool of players here is very small.
"Pek Siah and I will overlook the entire doubles squad.
"The goal is to get them in good shape and ready for the 2024 Olympics."
Paulus was not the only former BAM coach roped in by the Singapore BA.
Earlier this month, former national women's singles coach Loh Wei Sheng was appointed as assistant singles coach for the SBA.
Wei Sheng will be working closely with former world champion Loh Kean Yew.