STEVE Kean kicks off his managerial reign at Brunei club DPMM when they play their first game of the Singapore S-League season on Saturday.

Controversial former Blackburn Rovers boss Kean was appointed as DPMM’s new manager in October – 13 months after leaving his role at Ewood Park.

The Scot has signed a one-year contract with the Brunei outfit, who are the only club from the country to play in the Singapore League.

Kean watched from the stand as DPMM squandered a 2-0 lead against Geylang International in the final game of last season in November.

But he will officially take charge of his first league match at Albirex Niigata (Singapore) on Saturday.

 

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Their opponents are a feeder club of Japanese club Albirex Niigata and have an all-Japanese squad.

DPMM are owned by the Crown Prince of Brunei, HRH Price Al-Muhtadee Billah.

The club play in the 30,000-capacity national stadium and finished eighth in the S-League last season.

They spent pre-season in Thailand, losing 2-0 to Phuket FC.

“I believe that Kean will be able to bring the team back on its feet this year and challenge for the title in the Singapore League,” captain Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis told The Brunei Times.

“He used to coach in the English Premier League, which is one of the best football leagues in the world, and it is an honour for us to be able to train under him.”