Ex-Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura joins Japan Football Association’s technical committee
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On June 24, the Football Association of Singapore said that Ogura had resigned with immediate effect.
PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
Follow topic:
- Tsutomu Ogura, ex-Singapore coach, is now the Japan FA's technical committee vice-chairman
- JFA's Kageyama cited Ogura's diverse experience and international network as beneficial for their international strategy.
- Ogura resigned from the Singapore role in June citing personal reasons
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SINGAPORE – Former Singapore national coach Tsutomu Ogura has joined the Japan Football Association (JFA) as the vice-chairman of its technical committee, it was announced on July 17.
Japanese newspaper Sports Hochi said that the decision was made after a JFA board meeting in Tokyo.
The JFA announced that Ogura and Hiroaki Takeuchi, the head of training quarters at J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, have been appointed as new members of the technical committee, with Ogura serving as the vice-chairman.
Explaining the move, JFA’s technical director Masanaga Kageyama said: “Mr Ogura has experience as a coach for the Japan national team, and has a diverse background in the training department and sports management at the club. He also served as the head coach of the Singapore national team, has been active internationally, and has a wide network.
“We expect him to play an active role in how to realise and execute the international strategy that has been lacking in the JFA until now.”
The JFA technical committee was put in place in 2020 to help strengthen the Japan national team, develop youth players and train coaches.
On June 24, the Football Association of Singapore said that Ogura, who was appointed in February 2024 on a two-year contract, had resigned with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.
While he declined to go into details publicly, Ogura told The Straits Times in an exclusive interview that he has a family issue to attend to, and it had reached a stage where he has to return home.
He told ST on July 18: “I feel sad leaving Singapore, as I had really wanted to help our national team make history in the Asian Cup. But since I have to go back to Japan, I am happy that JFA was keen to offer me a position that allows me to be close to my family (as we stay in Chiba near JFA).
“JFA’s ambition is very clear. It is no longer enough to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup, they will also want to make history.
“As sad as I am to leave Singapore, I am also excited by this challenge, to be able to play a part in helping Japan.
“But I will always keep an eye on how Singapore is doing, and I wish the FAS all the best in the Asian Cup and SEA Games.”
The FAS is currently on the hunt for its fourth national coach in six years after Ogura’s decision to step down. While the search for a new coach is in underway, former BG Tampines Rovers coach Gavin Lee, who was also national assistant coach to Ogura, has been installed as interim coach.
Ogura, who holds an Asian Football Confederation professional diploma, the highest level of coaching accreditation issued by the continent’s governing body, is a respected voice in Japanese football and has held roles in various levels of the Japan national team from 2006 to 2012.
In 2010, Ogura was part of the coaching staff for Japan’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, where they reached the round of 16.
He also served as an assistant coach in Japan’s Olympic national team from 2010 to 2012, before moving to club football with stints at Tokyo Verdy, Omiya Ardija, Ventforet Kofu, JEF United Chiba and Yokohama F. Marinos.
As the sporting director of the Marinos, Ogura oversaw the club’s first J1League title in 15 years in 2019.
Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news.
