Latest news with #TsutomuOgura
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Ex-Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura joins Japan Football Association's technical committee
Find out what's new on ST website and app. On June 24, the Football Association of Singapore said that Ogura had resigned with immediate effect. 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student who used AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore Jail for contraband cigarette syndicate member over conspiracy to give bribes to security officer Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore at Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high 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. 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.
CNA
07-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Commentary: A star coach could buy FAS the time it needs to fix Singapore football
SINGAPORE: Just over two months into the reign of a new management of Singapore football, fans are growing somewhat impatient. The appointment of billionaire Forrest Li as president of the Football Association of Singapore in end-April was heralded as the beginning of a new era. Many envisioned millions being poured into the ecosystem out of Li's pockets and sweeping changes to our national teams and FAS itself. Instead, the recently announced changes to the Singapore Premier League hardly fire up the imagination. Next season, Singapore's top professional league will have eight teams instead of nine last season, they will play 21 games in the league instead of 32 and the number of foreigners in the starting line-up will increase to seven from six, raising concerns about the development of local players. The U-21 league has also been replaced by SPL2, essentially a reserve league for the SPL clubs. Behind the scenes, there have been some changes to the technical team coaching teams that have gone largely unnoticed, especially the increase of full-time staff for the Young Lions, a crucial move especially with the Southeast Asian games looming, and the quiet retiring of FAS technical director Michael Browne. The most headline-worthy development was the resignation of Singapore football head coach Tsutomu Ogura for personal reasons. This leaves Singapore looking for its fourth national coach in six years. While Ogura' 18-month tenure had its critics, at least two insiders told me they had wanted Ogura to stay on as head coach and take on an even bigger role within FAS. This was pretty much reflected in FAS' statement on his resignation. Those who worked closely with Ogura, including myself, saw what a force he was behind closed doors. His opening game as Lions coach - where we came back from two goals down to hold China to a 2-2 draw in the World Cup qualifier in March last year - showed us what was to come, that this was a Singapore team that was going to fight on the pitch, even against opponents better than them. Off the pitch, Ogura was instrumental in strengthening relationships between clubs and FAS, and was seen by most in the fraternity as a seasoned professional and a breath of fresh air. His departure, therefore, leaves an FAS leadership that has yet to even settle in scrambling. CUSP OF MAKING SINGAPORE FOOTBALL HISTORY But as they say, with every crisis, there is also an opportunity. There is no more high-profile change in any football federation around the world than the appointment of a head coach for the men's senior national team. This gets fans talking even more than the change of a president, because a coach directly influences results on the pitch. Ogura left us arguably on a high. Singapore are in the start of the Asian Cup qualifying campaign, and he's left us top of our group, where only one of the four teams will go on to play in the Asian Cup group stages. Singapore has never qualified on merit before, and only once played in the group stages in 1984 as we were the host nation. Hence, Ogura is leaving us on the cusp of making Singapore football history. There will be high expectations for the next coach. Whether a new coach will come in time for our double-header against India in October is unclear, and it might very well be interim coach Gavin Lee, formerly the head coach of Tampines Rovers who finished second in the SPL, who takes the reins for those two matches. That continuity would make tactical sense, seeing as Lee had been Ogura's assistant and will provide some consistency in the training models going into those crucial matches. AND THE NEXT COACH IS … But discussions are rife among fans about who should be our next coach. Some favour a local appointment, such as former national player Aidil Sharin, currently the head coach of Kuching City, a club in the Malaysian Super League (MSL). Aidil's resume is respectable: He steered Kedah to win Malaysia FA Cup glory in 2019, took Kuching City from 14th place to 4th in the 2024-25 MSL, and was recently name Malaysia's Coach of the Year. While clearly competent, it's doubtful he has the kind of star power to make the average Singapore football fan start packing the stands again. Without diminishing Aidil's achievements, a transition from someone who has coached Japan in the World Cup Finals and the Olympic Games, to one whose experience are clubs in the ASEAN leagues, is unlikely to spark the kind of excitement that Singapore football sorely needs. Others call for a bold regional move, such as South Korean Shin Tae-yong, who was unceremoniously dumped by Indonesia in January after he led them to some amazing achievements at senior, U-23 and U-20 levels. He also led Indonesia into the latter stages of the Asian World Cup qualifiers, the only ASEAN nation to do so. And after six matches, Indonesia was sitting third in a group with powerhouses like Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Yet even Shin, for all his achievements, isn't really seen as a world-class name, though he is as elite as they come in this part of the world. His appointment would excite only the most hardcore of Asian football fans. A STAR APPOINTMENT To truly energise Singapore football, the FAS needs to make an appointment so big that even the most casual fan would recognise. The average Singapore football fan is brought up on a steady diet of the English Premier League, and the World Cup and European Championships. We are familiar with all the biggest names in world football. And on top of that, we've been engineered to think of Singapore as being world class in almost every aspect - except our football, where most Singaporeans still think of us as being a backward nation. Landing a head coach of a word-class calibre would signal a real change to our status quo, and fuel the belief that Forrest Li is making good on a promise of taking Singapore football to the next level. Who could such a coach be? Jurgen Klopp, the manager who led Liverpool to win their first EPL title in 30 years, is of course the dream. But he is clearly unavailable. He is currently the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and has expressed several times that he is not looking to go back into coaching. Which other names might ignite an outpouring of excitement? Zinedine Zidane, who's been waiting to be chosen as France's national team coach since 2021. Hailed as one of the greatest footballers in the world in his prime, Zidane would be a name even the most casual fan would be excited about. Joachim Low, a World Cup winner as Germany's head coach, and unemployed since 2021. He's indicated that he would like to continue coaching a national team and not a club side. Ange Postecoglou, a serial second season winner who most recently led Tottenham Hotspur to their first major trophy in 17 years, and their first European trophy in 41. Postecoglou is also familiar with Asia, having led Australia to the Asian Cup in 2015, and Yokohama Marinos to their first J1 league title in 14 years, back in 2019. He was unceremoniously sacked by Spurs after winning the trophy and making an entire generation of Spurs fans cry. Any of these names would send shivers down the football fanbase's spine, and almost certainly guarantee 50,000 fans in the National Stadium regularly. Optics-wise, it would also be the strongest sign that the Forrest Li era has begun with a bang. Would it be an expensive statement, and possibly fiscally irresponsible? Probably, but football fans care more about performance and results. Would such an appointment solve the root problems of Singapore football? No, but it would buy a whole lot of time and cover for the leadership to fix things. And even if it might not immediately take our football results to the next level, it would certainly do that for our fan interest.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
When it comes to appointing the next Lions coach, history is a great teacher
With the departure of Tsutomu Ogura, the FAS is on the hunt for its fourth national head coach in six years. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG When it comes to appointing the next Lions coach, history is a great teacher Here we go again. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is searching for its fourth national head coach in six years after Tsutomu Ogura's resignation was made public on June 24. The next step will be the most critical yet for the FAS and comes as the first major test for its new president, billionaire Forrest Li and his leadership team. Sure, there can never be a guarantee of success when hiring a new head coach (just ask the Manchester United hierarchy), but the FAS must do all they can to appoint someone who can give the Lions the best chance of flourishing. Before Ogura's appointment, sources indicated that Park Hang-seo, who had led Vietnam to the Under-23 Asian Cup final in 2018 and the Asian Cup quarter-finals in 2019, had been available, but FAS was ultimately unable to meet his salary demands. But word coming out of its Jalan Besar headquarters is that the best man for the job will be hired. ST understands that Li's priority is to ensure that the Lions are best-equipped, something that he had intimated strongly during an internal townhall. So we can assume that no stone will be left unturned and no expense is spared in this search. Even with increased resources, I hope the selectors remain level-headed. The temptation to opt for a headline-grabbing name – someone who dazzles because of his playing career – is strong. But that path is a slippery slope. Former United captain Bryan Robson had a spell to forget as Thailand coach from 2009 to 2011 and ex-England manager, the late Sven-Goran Eriksson, had a brief stint in charge of the Philippines, where they finished with three losses in as many matches in the 2019 Asian Cup. He left the post soon after. So the FAS does not need to pursue a marquee name, but the choice must convey a serious intent. Although Ogura came with plenty of experience in Japan, his two predecessors and compatriots – Takayuki Nishigaya and Tatsuma Yoshida – had also never managed a national team or a side in this region. They underwhelmed even before they started their tenures. On June 24, the FAS said in its media statement that it is looking for a candidate who 'possesses the vision, expertise, and leadership qualities to elevate Singapore football to the next level'. Internally, I hope they have a clearer and more specific criteria. The next coach must have the experience and knowledge of the region and Asian football, the personality to get the best out of our players, the ability to convince with his ideas and communicate that effectively enough for the Lions to hit the ground running. Former Johor Darul Takzim head coach Bojan Hodak, currently excelling at Indonesia Liga 1 side Persib Bandung and former Thailand tactician Mano Polking, who is with Viet side Cong An Ha Noi, have the credentials and the regional know-how to thrive as Lions coach. There are also other coaches who have excelled with national teams in this region. The hiring of South Korean tacticians Park or Shin Tae-yong, who led Vietnam and Indonesia respectively in recent years, would also represent a clear ambition. Besides getting this appointment right, the FAS must also do it quickly. The selectors must learn from the mistakes of their predecessors. When Yoshida stepped down in December 2021, it took the FAS four months to appoint a replacement in Nishigaya, which left him with having to fight a losing battle from day one. The Lions were presented with a kind draw in a single round-robin tournament for the Asian Cup qualifiers in June 2022. It was not until May 26 that year that Nishigaya held his first training session and the team had just one friendly against Kuwait six days later 1 before the Asian Cup qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan a week later. They lost 2-1 to the hosts, were defeated 1-0 by Tajikistan and beat Myanmar 6-2. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both made the Asian Cup. The Lions and Nishigaya went home. The Lions circa 2025 are top of Group C in their Asian Cup qualifying campaign 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 Asian Cup in 2027. They have four matches left, starting with back-to-back matches against India in October. There may not be a better time to make history with a maiden qualification to the Asian Cup for Singapore, whose only appearance came as hosts in 1984. When he was confirmed as the new FAS president in April, Li outlined his mission to 'bring joy and pride back to Singapore football'. FAS and Li, your next step could go a long way in reaching that objective. Over to you. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Departing Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura hails Lions' spirit, urges players to make history
In an interview with ST, Tsutomu Ogura says he is proud that there has been a mentality shift under his watch. ST PHOTO: DEEPANRAJ GANESAN SINGAPORE – Being congratulated after a comeback 2-2 draw with China triggered a terse reaction from Tsutomu Ogura on his debut as Singapore coach in March 2024. He criticised that mindset, insisting that the Lions should never be satisfied with a draw. After stepping down prematurely as Lions coach 15 months later, he expressed pride that there has been a mentality shift under his watch. The manner of the 2-1 away victory over Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier on June 10 – with players dissatisfied despite having overcome physical opponents before a partisan home crowd – is a sign that the Lions are now demanding more from themselves and one another. The Japanese coach highlighted that even those who did not play in Dhaka were animated on the sidelines, encouraging their on-field teammates to see out the victory. 'I am very proud... because there has been a change (in mentality),' said the 58-year-old as he looked back on his Lions stint in an exclusive interview with The Straits Times. 'Even in our first Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong (which ended in a 0-0 draw in March) who are higher than us in ranking, nobody was satisfied with the draw. People were disappointed and felt we should win. I am very happy about this.' The Japanese, who was appointed in February 2024 on a two-year contract, resigned due to personal reasons, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on June 24. While his tenure is over after 509 days, Ogura is heartened by the players' showing in his 16th and last match in charge. 'Bangladesh was a very hard game for us, because it was an away match, in a full stadium of home fans,' he added. 'It was physical and it was at the end of a long club season for so many players especially those from Lion City Sailors. They were very tired, almost dying and it is difficult in this situation to have emotional control. 'I'm very proud of them, yes it is not perfect, but we have built together a good atmosphere and high motivation within the team now. It's easy to say 'we must work together as one team', but this is not something you can teach, you need (time) to create that feeling.' Lions captain Hariss Harun concurred with that assessment, adding that Ogura had emphasised team unity from the start. The 34-year-old , who noted that Ogura always demanded the most from his players and set a high standard, added: 'Team spirit and togetherness are the things that he was emphasising from day one. It has taken time for it to show. 'When he started to say it back in March 2024, maybe there were some players who looked at each other and wondered what this guy was talking about. Even with the players he chose (for the squad), he did so based on their temperament and character, and how they can help the team on and off the pitch, even when they're not playing. So I think all of that helps to create what we have built. 'I'm not saying it's perfect, because there's still a lot to improve. But it is a pity that after we have established this, he's leaving.' Ogura told ST he had realised in January that there was a family issue he needed to attend to, and it has reached a stage where he has to return home. While he declined to go into details, Ogura said: 'My priority now is to be with my family and help them. This was a very hard decision to make, of course ... but my family has supported me for a long time .' Former BG Tampines Rovers coach Gavin Lee, who served as Ogura's assistant, has been installed as interim coach while the search for a permanent successor has begun. In 16 matches in charge of the Lions, Ogura's record stands at five wins, three draws and eight losses Victory in Bangladesh leaves Singapore top of their Asian Cup qualifying group 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 Asian Cup in 2027. Ogura chose to step down in June to give FAS time to prepare for the crucial back-to-back qualifiers against India in October. The former Japan national assistant coach said he has no regrets over his time in Singapore and highlighted the Asean Championship semi-final run with a predominantly local-based squad as another proud moment , especially how the team grinded out a 0-0 draw away against Malaysia . It was just the second time since their 2012 title win that the Lions had booked a berth in the last four. He hopes that fans will continue to support the team through thick and thin, adding that they are a powerful source of motivation. During his tenure, an open training session was organised before the 3-1 friendly win over the Maldives on June 5 for around 100 fans at Bishan Stadium. Ogura said: 'When the fans are watching, players are extra motivated. Players also understood their responsibility. I hope more people go to the stadiums too. Everyone will remember the (AFC Champions League Two) final, we need (more of) that atmosphere and players will be more motivated.' Even as he prepares to return home to Chiba, which is best known for being home to Japan's two Disney parks, Ogura – who has grown to love local fare like chicken rice and laksa – will be keeping himself up to date with Singapore football. He said: 'I have told the players, if somebody wants to change the history, we must keep doing more to improve. With this togetherness in the team, they can make history (by qualifying for the Asian Cup). But we need more people to believe, more people need to support the SPL teams, the national team and then you can have more funding. 'Look at Uzbekistan and Jordan, they have qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Ten years ago, how many people believed that can happen? If Uzbekistan can do it, why can't Singapore? I believe they can.' Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
25-06-2025
- 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.
