SINGAPORE: Tsutomu Ogura, a former assistant coach of the Japanese national football team, will take over the reins as head coach of Singapore’s national side.
The 57-year-old was unveiled at a press conference at the Jalan Besar stadium on Thursday (Feb 1), confirming earlier media reports that he was next in line.
Ogura’s official title as director of national teams for Singapore means he will lead the men’s senior team while also overseeing the performances of the Under-23/22 team and its coach, said the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) in a press release.
This is to ensure “seamless coordination and synergy between the men’s senior and under-23/22 squads”, said FAS.
Ogura is the third consecutive Japanese coach to take charge of the Lions.
“I am pleased that we were able to convince someone of coach Ogura’s calibre to undertake the challenging role of Singapore’s national team head coach,” said FAS president Bernard Tan.
“Ogura has had a very diverse career in football, which will no doubt be helpful not just in helping improve our senior national team, but also the entire football ecosystem.”