Netizens urge FAS to recognise Gavin Lee as Singapore national team head coach

Singapore’s historic 2–1 victory over Hong Kong on 18 November 2025 has prompted widespread public calls for the Football Association of Singapore to appoint Gavin Lee as the permanent national football head coach.

The match at Kai Tak Stadium saw the Lions overturn a first-half deficit with two goals in four minutes.

Their performance sealed qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia through merit rather than hosting.

The comeback stunned nearly 48,000 spectators and marked Singapore’s first appearance at the continental competition achieved purely on performance.

Gavin Lee: AsianCup milestone belonged to every Singaporeans

According to Lee at the post-match press conference, the team had prepared for adversity and stayed focused despite setbacks.

He said that staying composed allowed quality players to finish the game strongly.

When asked about his future, Lee stated that the decision lies with the organisation and emphasised that the national team is larger than any individual.

He added that the milestone belonged to “everyone” and symbolised a collective national effort.

The role of permanent head coach remains open after Tsutomu Ogura resigned on 24 June 2025 due to personal reasons.

Lee stepped into the interim role and has since overseen the Lions’ crucial qualifying fixtures.

Public praise highlights Lee’s tactical maturity and leadership impact

Online sentiment, visible in comments on the Football Association of Singapore’s Facebook page and on platforms such as CNA and The Straits Times, has been largely supportive of Lee.

Many commenters argued that his leadership, tactical innovation and historic achievement should earn him the job.

Some fans highlighted that he embraced modern tactical ideas and built a strong bond with players.

They also noted the team’s improved self-belief, resilience and fighting spirit during his interim tenure.

A commentary by former football commentator Edwin Yeo on CNA argued that Lee demonstrated tactical maturity and mental resilience.

According to Yeo, comeback wins against India and Hong Kong showed deliberate planning rather than luck.

Several commenters observed that Lee’s deep understanding of local football helped him tailor strategies to available resources and player attributes.

One analysis noted that Singapore’s approach may not be the most attractive but remains effective and pragmatic.

Specific mention was made of how calm Lee remained when Singapore trailed 1–0 against Hong Kong.

Observers praised his composure and the clear game plan that involved exploiting Hong Kong’s defensive spaces through long passes by players such as Hariss, Safuwan and Izwan.

Fans urge recognition of Ogura’s foundations and caution against premature pressure

However, not all views placed the spotlight solely on Lee.

Some fans stressed that Ogura deserved recognition for laying the foundations of stamina and discipline. They argued that both phases of coaching contributed to the eventual breakthrough.

Concerns were also raised about pressuring Lee too early.

Certain commenters warned that expectations for the Asian Cup should be calibrated because the tournament features significantly stronger opponents.

They noted that premature pressure could lead to unfair criticism if results falter.

Lee’s rise has drawn comparisons with respected past Singapore coaches such as Choo Seng Quee, Barry Whitbread and Radojko Avramovic.

At 35, Lee joins this lineage after a rapid ascent through Singapore football.

Born in 1990, Lee began coaching early by assisting his father’s youth training sessions. He progressed through grassroots academies and eventually earned his AFC ‘A’ Coaching Licence.

He joined Tampines Rovers as assistant coach in 2017 and became head coach in 2019. At that time, he was the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history.

His tenure produced the Singapore Cup victory in 2019 and Tampines’ AFC Champions League debut in 2021. 

These experiences contributed to his reputation for analytical planning and calm match management.

National leaders also acknowledged the team’s achievement. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in a message after the victory, praised the Lions for their “skilful play and guts in front of an overwhelming home crowd”.

He emphasised the significance of qualifying for the Asian Cup on performance for the first time.