The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has formally announced the appointment of Frenchman Yvon Avry as their new Technical Director.
Avry was unveiled at Mpira Village by FAM President Fleetwood Haiya, who highlighted the depth of experience the UEFA-qualified instructor brings to the role.
“Today marks yet another important milestone in our continued journey of Transforming the Game in Malawi,” Haiya said.
He added, “The Technical Directorate is the heartbeat of any football association. It is the engine room that shapes the future of the game, by nurturing grassroots talent, strengthening coach education, and establishing a sustainable pathway for football development.”
Haiya reiterated that Malawi’s football growth must be rooted in the country’s villages, schools, communities and informal playing spaces, stressing the need for strong technical leadership to unlock local potential. He also underlined the importance of improving coaching capacity.
“We cannot develop quality players without quality coaches. The modern game demands professionalism, technical depth and continuous learning. Malawi must develop a new generation of well-trained and internationally certified coaches. An empowered coach is a multiplier of talent.”
He further emphasised that the country’s development model must be comprehensive.
“Our vision is clear: to develop sustainable national teams that qualify consistently and compete proudly on the international stage. This requires linking grassroots structures, youth development, elite pathways, sports science, women’s football, beach soccer, refereeing, and club development.”
Avry’s appointment places him at the centre of this strategy, with responsibilities spanning technical planning, performance analysis, talent identification and the establishment of long-term systems. His work will guide all national teams, from the Flames and the Scorchers to the U17s, U20s, academies and community programmes, toward a unified football identity.
The Frenchman arrives with a rich résumé, holding a UEFA A Diploma and having previously served as FIFA Technical Consultant, Technical Director of Brunei Darussalam and Technical Advisor to the Fédération Malagasy de Football.
Accepting the role, Avry committed to supporting the country’s Transformation Agenda with a focus on building from the ground up.
“What is important is to start from the foundation, which is the grassroots, and build something strong for Malawi. I am here to bring my expertise and help move the game forward.”
