Lions head coach Tsutoma Ogura quits his role in the national team, Gavin Lee steps in
SINGAPORE: For the fourth time in just six years, the Singapore national football team is in search of a new head coach. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed on Tuesday (June 24) that Tsutomu Ogura has stepped down from his role as national team coach, citing personal reasons that require his return to Japan, similar to his predecessor.
Ogura's departure comes 16 months after his appointment in February 2024, during which he was tasked with leading not only the senior squad but also the U-23 and U-22 teams, in a bid to ensure better synergy between age groups and the potential for promotion of budding youth. A tenure of mixed results
The 61-year-old Japanese coach brought with him experience as a former assistant with the Japan national team and sporting director of J-League 1 Yokohama F. Marinos. Despite his relatively short stint as a head coach, his only previous managerial role being a short stint with J-League 2 team Omiya Ardija, Ogura's arrival sparked cautious optimism following the underwhelming tenure of predecessor Takayuki Nishigaya. See also Can Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day Make You More Successful?
Ogura's first game in charge saw a spirited 2-2 draw against China in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, momentum shifted quickly when the Lions were battered 7-0 by South Korea. The team did manage to reach the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, defeating Cambodia and Timor-Leste, but results were often narrower than expected, and fans remained unconvinced.
Friendly match losses to lower-ranked nations like Chinese Taipei and Nepal further frustrated supporters hoping for visible progress. While Singapore currently sits joint-top in Group C of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after edging Bangladesh 2-1 in Dhaka, questions remain over the consistency of the team's performances under Ogura. Gavin Lee steps up
Taking over on an interim basis is Gavin Lee, one of Singapore's most promising young coaches. The 34-year-old recently left his role at BG Tampines Rovers and had already been serving as an assistant under Ogura. Known for his data-based approach, analytics and tactical awareness, Lee is regarded by many online as a potential long-term solution.
Whether Lee remains at the helm beyond the upcoming doubleheader against India in October will likely depend on both his performance and FAS' broader strategic direction. Foreign or local coach
Speculation is already swirling over who could replace Ogura permanently. Names like Kadir Yahaya and Noor Ali have emerged as credible local contenders, while the FAS may also consider foreign coaches with regional experience, following in the footsteps of successful appointments like Vietnam's Park Hang-seo and Indonesia's Patrick Kluivert.
Whoever takes over will face a pivotal challenge, capitalising on Singapore's current position in the Asian Cup qualifiers and building a team that can finally return to the continental stage after more than four decades.
For now, as the Lions prepare for crunch fixtures in October and November, all eyes will be on whether Gavin Lee can steady the ship or if FAS will make yet another turn in its coaching carousel.
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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
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Straits Times
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- Straits Times
Departing Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura hails Lions' spirit, urges players to make history
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They were very tired, almost dying and it is difficult in this situation to have emotional control. 'I'm very proud of them, yes it is not perfect, but we have built together a good atmosphere and high motivation within the team now. It's easy to say 'we must work together as one team', but this is not something you can teach, you need (time) to create that feeling.' Lions captain Hariss Harun concurred with that assessment, adding that Ogura had emphasised team unity from the start. The 34-year-old , who noted that Ogura always demanded the most from his players and set a high standard, added: 'Team spirit and togetherness are the things that he was emphasising from day one. It has taken time for it to show. 'When he started to say it back in March 2024, maybe there were some players who looked at each other and wondered what this guy was talking about. Even with the players he chose (for the squad), he did so based on their temperament and character, and how they can help the team on and off the pitch, even when they're not playing. So I think all of that helps to create what we have built. 'I'm not saying it's perfect, because there's still a lot to improve. But it is a pity that after we have established this, he's leaving.' Ogura told ST he had realised in January that there was a family issue he needed to attend to, and it has reached a stage where he has to return home. While he declined to go into details, Ogura said: 'My priority now is to be with my family and help them. This was a very hard decision to make, of course ... but my family has supported me for a long time .' Former BG Tampines Rovers coach Gavin Lee, who served as Ogura's assistant, has been installed as interim coach while the search for a permanent successor has begun. 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Business Times
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