Latest news with #SingaporeNationalTeam
Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
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.
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Tsutomu Ogura steps down as Singapore Lions coach for personal reasons
SINGAPORE, June 25 — Tsutomu Ogura has stepped down as head coach of the Singapore national team for personal reasons, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced yesterday. The Japanese coach took charge in February last year, guiding Singapore to the semi-finals of the Asean Championship. 'Mr Ogura informed the FAS of his decision several weeks ago, citing the need to return to his home country to attend to pressing personal matters,' it said in a statement. 'The FAS respects Mr Ogura's decision and extends its sincere appreciation for his professionalism, commitment, and contribution to Singapore football during his time at the helm.' Following Ogura's departure, former Tampines Rovers head coach Gavin Lee will step in as the country's interim manager. — Reuters
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Ogura steps down as Singapore coach for personal reasons
June 24 (Reuters) - Tsutomu Ogura has stepped down as head coach of the Singapore national team for personal reasons, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on Tuesday. The Japanese coach took charge in February last year, guiding Singapore to the semi-finals of the ASEAN Championship. "Mr. Ogura informed the FAS of his decision several weeks ago, citing the need to return to his home country to attend to pressing personal matters," it said in a statement. "The FAS respects Mr. Ogura's decision and extends its sincere appreciation for his professionalism, commitment, and contribution to Singapore football during his time at the helm." Following Ogura's departure, former Tampines Rovers head coach Gavin Lee will step in as the country's interim manager.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Singapore coach Ogura resigns months before Asian Cup qualifiers against India
Tsutomu Ogura has resigned from his post as the head coach of the men's national team of Singapore, the country's football association said in a statement on Tuesday. 'The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announces that Mr. Tsutomu Ogura has decided to step down from his position as Head Coach of the Singapore National Team, with immediate effect, due to personal reasons,' the FAS said. Ogura, 58, is the third consecutive Japanese coach in charge of Singapore, succeeding Takayuki Nishigaya, who was fired in January 2024, who had previously taken over from Tatsuma Yoshida, who quit in 2021. He was also the director of the under-22 men's team. 'Mr. Ogura informed the FAS of his decision several weeks ago, citing the need to return to his home country to attend to pressing personal matters. Since then, the FAS Executive Committee has been in close consultation with Mr. Ogura to explore various avenues to facilitate his continued tenure,' the FAS added. 'Despite collective efforts and a mutual desire to sustain the working relationship, the nature of the personal issues involved ultimately made it untenable for him to continue.' Ogura leaves after guiding the Lions to consecutive victories in June, a 3-1 win over the Maldives in an international friendly on June 5, and a 2-1 away win over Bangladesh in the Asian Cup qualifier five days later. Singapore will next play India in consecutive Asian Cup qualifiers, at home and away, on October 9 and 14, respectively. The FAS has appointed Gavin Lee, former Head Coach of BG Tampines Rovers FC, to lead the Singapore while the it looks for a new permanent head coach.
CNA
a day ago
- Sport
- CNA
Departing Lions coach Ogura a 'breath of fresh air' who tried to connect with players and fans, say insiders
SINGAPORE: Singapore football coach Tsutomu Ogura is leaving and people who worked and interacted with the Japanese tactician said that he brought a level of professionalism and made efforts to connect with players and fans alike. Earlier on Tuesday (Jun 24), the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that Ogura resigned as head coach of the Singapore national football team due to personal reasons. He informed FAS of his decision several weeks ago, saying he needed to return to Japan for "pressing personal matters". "Since then, the FAS executive committee has been in close consultation with Mr Ogura to explore various avenues to facilitate his continued tenure," the association said. "Despite collective efforts and a mutual desire to sustain the working relationship, the nature of the personal issues involved ultimately made it untenable for him to continue." This leaves Singapore looking for its fourth national coach in six years. A footballer who had played under Ogura and spoke on condition of anonymity told CNA that his departure came as a shock. He described the coach as "quite a people's person". "He tried to get to know everyone as a person, as a human, before they are footballers on the pitch ... He wanted to know the character (of the players), he cares for the players quite a lot and the backroom staff members as well. "He wanted everyone to be on the same page. He spoke to many of the players and tried to understand their circumstances. It's very important, especially for us players because the international window is always very short." For long-time Lions follower Eddy Hirono who is a lawyer by profession, Ogura was a coach who made an effort to build bonds with fans. "Generally, I'm quite sad because I like the guy ... I thought he was very personable and likable when I met him in person, or when I see other fans go talk to him. He always has time for them," he said. "I thought the messaging from him was always positive and I like that in a place where opinions can get very negative." Under Ogura's charge, fans could attend a number of open training sessions to watch the Lions being put through their paces. Mr Edwin Yeo, who previously worked alongside Ogura as a strategic communication consultant for FAS, described him as a "real breath of fresh air". "What really came through was his experience, having gone to the World Cup ... to the Olympic Games, his experience managing in the Japan J1 league not just as a coach, but also as a sporting director. So he has a sense of how football should be managed properly," Mr Yeo added. "I think the education that he brought to the FAS teams internally, that was really invaluable ... I learned a lot from him over the last one year in what professional football management really looks like." Before taking up the Singapore job, Ogura's last role was at Japanese club Tokyo Verdy as assistant coach. He was a former assistant coach of the Japanese national team (2006-2010) as well as the Olympic team (2010-2012). Following those stints, he worked at several Japanese clubs including five years with Yokohama F Marinos as sports director. Mr Yeo described Ogura as somebody who took on board opinions but was also clear in the direction he wanted to take. "He listens to people, but ultimately, he's in charge, he takes responsibility. And in all aspects, he fought very hard for the team ... His entire focus was making sure the team was in a great place, so that on the pitch, they can perform," he said. "He was very decisive in terms of the people he wanted to work with and the people he didn't want to work with." "HE'S ALWAYS LOOKING" Ogura was a former assistant coach of the Japanese national side and the third consecutive Japanese head coach of the Singapore team, replacing Takayuki Nishigaya in February 2024. His 16-match stint with the Lions comprised five wins, three draws and eight losses. Two of those victories came in the last two matches, when Singapore beat Maldives in a friendly and Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier. Last year, Ogura led the Lions to the ASEAN Championship semi-finals, the first time the Lions reached that stage since the 2021 edition. They were eliminated by eventual winners Vietnam. Ogura leaves Singapore top of their third round Asian Cup qualifying group, with four points after their first two matches. The Lions are ahead of Hong Kong on goals scored, with Bangladesh third and India bottom. Each of the six group leaders will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Mr Hirono pointed out that during last year's ASEAN Championship, there was a willingness to try and go "toe to toe" with regional heavyweights such as Thailand and Vietnam. The footballer who played under Ogura said: "We can see a vast difference in how we play before him and with him. I think there's a lot more positivity, especially with our campaign at the ASEAN Championship." There was clear communication on how Ogura wanted his teams to play, he added. "He emphasised a lot of our one-on-one battles, to get very close to our opponent ... he wants us to move the ball and play with no fear. "In terms of training, he's always emphasising that how we train is how we play. He looks at our training and he looks at what the player does on the field and how he acts on the field. "He's always looking, always looking out at what we do ... how we train determines our possibility of playing on match-day." Although he can be personable, Ogura can be strict as well, Mr Yeo said. "There is a part of him that is very charming and very affable, but the fact that he is very strict, I think people don't see that a lot as well. He doesn't suffer fools. "And if you do something wrong, he will tell you in no uncertain terms that you're doing something wrong. He's very strict that way." The right mindset and mentality were two things Ogura looked for in players, Mr Yeo said. "The players he chooses are players fitting a certain profile of people who would fight, who work hard – even if they are not the best in their positions, they are fighting harder. "People who are more talented but who don't work as hard, he has very little time for them." Mr Hirono the football fan described the results under Ogura as "slightly above expectation". "I think it was good enough. I'm generally of the opinion that our talent pool is very small. So I think what he could achieve with the national team in that time was quite good," he said. Although there were some "really poor" performances, Mr Yeo said that coaches should not be judged solely on individual games, but in what was achieved during the total duration of a tenure. "On results alone, you cannot say that it was fully successful," he added, "but at the same time, you cannot say it was a failure, because I don't think anybody expected us to go to the AFF Championship semi-final ... don't think anybody expected us to be top of the group two games into the Asian Cup qualifiers. "I would probably say that, in my opinion, he punched above the weight of what the Singapore team is at this point in time." Mr Jose Raymond, founder of The Monitor Singapore, an independent football news and commentary site, said that results under Ogura's tenure were not satisfactory. "We lost to Nepal (in a friendly), that's one. If you look at the 16 games he's been in charge, he's secured five wins and against which teams are the wins? "The only result that was of some level of repute was the 2-2 draw against China ... In terms of results, I don't think he did well." He also questioned the timing of Ogura's departure, given Singapore's standing in their Asian Cup qualifying group. "What is surprising is that he did not stay the course or the duration of the contract. And his contract would have been ending next February. It's only (about) six months away," Mr Raymond added. TIME FOR A "BIG NAME"? FAS has appointed Gavin Lee, former head coach of BG Tampines Rovers FC, as the interim replacement. The association said that the search for a new permanent head coach "who possesses the vision, expertise and leadership qualities to elevate Singapore football to the next level" is actively underway. Those who spoke to CNA said that Ogura's departure now offers the new team at the helm of FAS a chance to lay down a marker. Mr Raymond said that FAS must find a coach and leader who would not just "lift the players, but lift the country" to back the national team. "The coach has to understand the nuances of playing in Asia, the strengths around the countries that they are going to be facing – someone who is able to lift and rally the country around the team so that they go and achieve that target." Two months back, billionaire Forrest Li, founder of technology conglomerate Sea and owner of Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors, was elected unopposed with his slate of candidates to a four-year term with FAS through to 2029. The excitement around this development was something Mr Hirono the football fan said may be what is needed for the next national coach as well. "You need someone who is not just a good coach, but someone who is a big name. And my reason for this is simple. I think a lot of Singaporeans are just not as interested as we want them to be. "And sometimes, I think a big name might help to excite and bring fans back to the stadium. But of course, the baseline being that the coach must also be a good coach." This may also be a chance for FAS' leadership to show the direction they want to take, Mr Hirono added. "There's no better public signal of what you want to do than making this appointment an inspiring one."
