Gavin Lee appointed as Singapore men's national team head coach after historic Asian Cup qualification

SINGAPORE: The Football Association of Singapore announced Gavin Lee as head coach at a press conference on 28 November 2025 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The appointment follows Singapore’s historic 2–1 victory over Hong Kong last week, which secured qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

According to local media reports, Lee had been offered the full-time role earlier in the day and was expected to confirm his acceptance.

The 35-year-old had served as interim head coach for the past three qualifiers and now takes on the role permanently under an 18-month contract.

His appointment marks the first time since 2016 that a Singaporean has been named permanent head coach, following the tenure of V Sundramoorthy.

The victory over Hong Kong was a winner-takes-all match in which the Lions came from behind to secure their berth in the tournament.

Singapore previously appeared at the Asian Cup only in 1984, when they participated as hosts and did not qualify on merit.

Online reaction to the victory was immediate, with widespread calls from supporters for Lee to be appointed permanently.

Netizens praised his tactical clarity, calm decision-making and ability to instil belief in a young squad facing high-pressure conditions.

Many noted his appreciation of local football culture and acknowledged the groundwork laid by former coach Tsutomu Ogura.

Lee joined the national team in March 2024 as part of Ogura’s backroom staff before becoming his assistant during the 2025 campaign.

Ogura’s departure in June 2025 due to personal reasons led to Lee’s interim appointment, during which he achieved two wins and one draw.

As interim coach, Lee oversaw consecutive 2–1 away wins against India and Hong Kong, alongside a 1–1 home draw with India.

His early coaching career began at youth level, assisting in training sessions led by his father from a young age.

He progressed through local academies and obtained his AFC ‘A’ Coaching Licence, enhancing his credentials within the professional game.

Lee joined Tampines Rovers as assistant coach in 2017 before becoming head coach in 2019 at age 28.

At that point, he became the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history, a record that drew significant attention.

His tenure included a Singapore Cup victory in 2019 and Tampines Rovers’ AFC Champions League debut in 2021.

These achievements built his reputation for detailed match preparation and assured in-game management.

His rise has drawn comparisons to notable coaches in Singapore’s football history, including Choo Seng Quee, Barry Whitbread and Radojko Avramovic.

Lee’s first major test as permanent head coach will be the 2026 Asean Championship, scheduled from 24 July to 26 August.

Observers view the assignment as an important opportunity to build on recent momentum and develop a stable long-term system.

Prior to his appointment, several candidates had been linked to the post, including Nick Montgomery and Jesus Casas.

Lee now faces the challenge of sustaining performance levels while nurturing the next generation of Singapore football talent.