yperic
Greater Supremacy Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2003
- Messages
- 88,346
- Reaction score
- 34,418
Gavin Lee announced as new Lions coach
Gavin Lee (right) and Izwan Mahbud greeting fans after arriving at the airport on Nov 19, a day after securing Asian Cup qualification with a 2-1 win over Hong Kong. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
- Gavin Lee, 35, was officially unveiled as the new permanent coach of Singapore's men's national football team.
- He gets the top job after he led the Lions to qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup.
- Lee's first major assignment is the 2026 Asean Championship which will take place from July 24 to Aug 26.
The 35-year-old, who steered the Singapore national team to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after taking charge of the last three qualifiers as interim coach, has been appointed on a permanent basis on an 18-month contract.
After three consecutive foreign hires, he will be the Lions’ first permanent local head coach since V. Sundram Moorthy in 2016.
Lee’s first major assignment will be the 2026 Asean Championship, which will take place from July 24 to Aug 26.
He had assumed the role of interim coach in June, after then Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura of Japan resigned due to personal reasons. Lee had served as assistant coach to Ogura during the Japanese tactician’s stint.
As interim coach, he helped the Lions to two wins (both 2-1 away over India and Hong Kong) and a draw (1-1 with India at home) in three competitive matches.
Lee has the honour of being the first coach to take the Lions to the Asian Cup via a successful qualification campaign.
The only other time Singapore took part in the continent’s football showpiece was when it was hosted here in 1984.
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/gavin-lee-announced-as-new-lions-coach
Gavin Lee set to be announced as Lions coach
The Lions interim coach Gavin Lee greeting fans at Changi Airport on Nov 19 after returning home from their historic Asian Cup qualification in Hong Kong.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
- As interim coach, Gavin Lee led Singapore to a historic Asian Cup qualification on Nov 18.
- ST understands that he has been offered the national coach's job on a permanent basis.
- An official announcement is imminent, with Lee set to be the first permanent local head coach of the Lions since V. Sundram Moorthy in 2016.
The Straits Times understands that the 35-year-old, who steered the Singapore national team to the 24-team continental showpiece in Saudi Arabia in 2027 after taking charge of the last three qualifiers as interim head coach, has been offered the job on a permanent basis.
After three consecutive foreign hires, he will be the FAS’ first permanent local coach since V. Sundram Moorthy in 2016.
Sources have indicated that Lee, who returned to Singapore on Nov 26 following a short break overseas after clinching the ticket to Riyadh with a 2-1 win over Hong Kong on Nov 18, has met with FAS officials and accepted the offer.
ST understands that an official announcement on the matter is imminent.
Lee’s first major assignment will be the 2026 Asean Championship, which will take place from July 24 to Aug 26.
As interim coach, he helped the Lions to two wins (both 2-1 over India and Hong Kong) and a draw (1-1 with India) in three competitive matches.
He has the honour of being the first coach to take the Lions to the Asian Cup on merit. The only other time Singapore took part in the continent’s football showpiece was when it was hosted here in 1984.
Following a 2-1 away victory over Hong Kong on Nov 18 at the Kai Tak Stadium that sealed the qualification, public clamour for Lee to be handed the reins full-time grew while others urged the FAS to go with a seasoned, foreign coach to lead the team into the 2027 Asian Cup.
But FAS has decided to stick with Lee, who took on the role of interim Lions coach in June, when then Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura of Japan resigned due to personal reasons.
While the FAS commenced its search for the next permanent coach, Lee, who had just left Singapore Premier League (SPL) side BG Tampines Rovers after almost eight years, was handed the interim role, primarily due to his familiarity with the team as Ogura’s assistant.
The Straits Times reported in July that a host of names such as World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell were on a shortlist compiled by the FAS. The process saw two men – Nick Montgomery and Jesus Casas – fly in for face-to-face talks with the association and Sport Singapore officials.
Montgomery eventually took up an assistant coach role at Nottingham Forest, a position he has since been relieved of. ST understands that initial contractual negotiations had also begun with Casas, who had been the FAS’ top choice.
Intending to leave no stone unturned in their search, more top names were considered and contacted recently.
But, with navigation to the Asian Cup secured, Lee rose to the top of the shortlist.
Asked about Lee’s prospects upon the team’s arrival back in Singapore on Nov 19, FAS president Forrest Li gave the strongest hint that Lee would be one of the top names for the post.
Li said: “I think definitely based on what Gavin has achieved, he will be a very, very strong candidate for us to consider, but we also have other very strong candidates in the pipeline. I think we’re in a good position, we have good choices.”
Last edited:
