Blow for Lions as national football coach Tsutomu Ogura steps down

SINGAPORE – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is on the hunt for its fourth national coach in six years after Tsutomu Ogura’s decision to step down.

In a media statement on June 24, the FAS said that Ogura, who was

appointed in February 2024

on a two-year contract, has resigned with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.

In the interim, former BG Tampines Rovers coach Gavin Lee will lead the Lions, while the search for a new coach is under way.

The FAS said that Ogura informed the FAS of his decision several weeks ago, citing the need to return to his home country Japan 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.

“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,” the statement said.

The FAS added that it respects Ogura’s decision and extends its sincere appreciation for his professionalism, commitment and contribution to Singapore football during his time at the helm.

“We wish him and his family well in their future endeavours,” it added.

Ogura was also the director for the men’s Under-22 team.

The 58-year-old former Japan national assistant coach was the third consecutive Japanese tactician for the Lions.

The others were Takayuki Nishigaya, who was appointed in 2022 and fired in January 2024, and Tatsuma Yoshida, who was appointed in 2019 and quit two years later.

Ogura leaves after having led the Lions to two consecutive wins,

a 3-1 victory over the Maldives

in an international friendly at home on June 5 and

a 2-1 away victory over Bangladesh

in an Asian Cup qualifier five days later.

The latter result placed Singapore top of Group C on goals scored, ahead of Hong Kong (four points), Bangladesh and India, who have a point apiece.

Only the group winners will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Singapore, who face India in back-to-back matches in October, have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with their only appearance coming as hosts in 1984.

The Lions will be in action in the next international window from Sept 1 to 9, although no matches have been announced yet.

Interim coach Lee told The Straits Times that he and the rest of the staff will look to “continue the path Ogura has set and build on the foundations that he has laid till the search completes”.

The 34-year-old added: “Ogura-san has given a direction in terms of the manner in which we want to play our football, as well as managing the set-up off the pitch.

“In addition, he has taken me under his wing from day one and for that, I’m thankful and I wish him all the very best.”

In 16 matches in charge of the Lions, Ogura’s record stands at five wins, three draws and eight losses. His tenure started off with a pulsating 2-2 comeback draw with China in a World Cup qualifier in March 2024.

Later that year, he also led the Lions to the Asean Championship semi-finals. It was just the second time since their 2012 title win that Singapore had reached the last four.

But there were low points too, like the 7-0 drubbing on home soil at the hands of South Korea in a World Cup qualifier last June. Some fans have also questioned his in-game management, as the Lions have often collapsed late on in matches.

The process of identifying and appointing the next permanent coach has already commenced, the FAS said on June 24, adding that it is committed to securing a candidate “who possesses the vision, expertise and leadership qualities to elevate Singapore football to the next level”.

National captain Hariss Harun said he was sad to see Ogura go but ultimately understood his reasons and wished the Japanese well.

Looking ahead, Hariss, 34, added: “Now, I think the most important thing is to identify who can come in and make this team stronger.

“Too many times in the past, we’ve gone backwards to go forward.

“So it is important that we don’t lose time, build on what we have and hopefully, we will have the best person to take this team forward.”