S'pore Lions head coach Tsutomu Ogura steps down, Gavin Lee will be interim coach

Tsutomu Ogura will step down as the head coach of the men's national football team with immediate effect.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced Ogura's departure on Jun. 24, citing personal reasons.

The association added that Ogura informed FAS of his decision to leave his position several weeks ago due to "the need to return to his home country to attend to pressing personal matters."

"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," said FAS.

"The FAS 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."

Gavin Lee, former head coach of BG Tampines Rovers and assistant coach of the national team, will step up as the interim head coach and lead the Lions as FAS searches for a new permanent head coach.

FAS stated that the process of identifying and appointing the next head coach of the Lions has begun and assured its commitment to securing a candidate who "possesses the vision, expertise, and leadership qualities to elevate Singapore football to the next level."

Ups and downs

FAS appointed Ogura as the new head coach of the men's national football team in 2024 on a two-year contract.

Ogura was an assistant coach for the Japan national team from 2006 to 2010.

He played a role in the team's winning campaign at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games Championship.

He also contributed to the team's success at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010, where Japan reached the Round of 16.

From 2010 to 2012, Ogura served as the second head coach for Japan's Olympic National Team, contributing to their fourth-place finish in the 2012 London Olympics.

Ogura continued his football coaching career with J1 and J2 clubs Omiya Ardija, Ventforet Kofu, JEF United Chiba, and Yokohama F. Marinos.

In his first game as the new head coach of the Lions, he led Singapore to a 2-2 draw with China in the World Cup Qualifiers match in March 2024.

The match took place at the Singapore National Stadium, with 28,414 fans in attendance.

However, Ogura's stint as head coach has also been marred by defeat, such as when the Lions lost 0-1 to Nepal in a friendly match earlier in March 2025.

Ogura called it "the worst game" the Lions played since he assumed his role.

According to Ogura, it is even worse than the game in which Singapore lost 0-7 to South Korea on June 6, 2024, during the 2026 World Cup qualifier match.

Besides criticising his squad for not playing "as a team", Ogura also said they could not fight only when they fell behind their opponent or in the last few minutes of the game.

Nevertheless, Ogura took the responsibility for the Lions' performance on Mar. 21, adding:

"I select the players, decide how we play, and show our concept of football. If we can't show our football, it is my responsibility, and I apologise to our fans who came out today."

Top photo via FAS & Gavin Lee/Instagram