Gavin Lee is set to become the permanent head coach of the Singapore national football team, making him the first local to hold the position since 2016.
The 35-year-old interim head coach has accepted the full-time role and is scheduled to sign an 18-month contract on 27 Nov 2025.
An official announcement will follow the signing, with Lee expected to be fully supported by Sport Singapore and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) in his preparations.
From Interim Role to Historic Victory
Lee was appointed interim head coach in June 2025 after former head coach Tsutomu Ogura departed due to personal reasons.
The Nanyang Technological University alumnus had joined the national team in March 2024 as part of Ogura’s backroom staff before becoming his assistant.
On 18 Nov 2025, Lee led the Lions to a historic 2-1 victory over Hong Kong in a winner-takes-all Asian Cup qualifier.
The win sent Singapore to the Asian Cup on merit for the first time in the nation’s history. Singapore’s only previous appearance came in 1984 when they participated automatically as hosts.
The historic qualification sparked calls for Lee to be appointed permanent head coach, despite earlier rumours of FAS courting foreign talent.
Youngest Coach to Leading the Lions
Before joining the national team setup, Lee was head coach of BG Tampines Rovers.
At 28, he became the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history when he took the helm of the club.
Lee credited Ogura with laying a strong foundation for the team. “He’s formulated a good working group, he’s instilled a style of football that’s not too different from my own. And so it’s just working off it and making sure we do a little bit better,” he said.
Prior to and after the historic win, Lee remained modest about his interest in the full-time role. “The organisation will make a decision that’s best for the team and the country. The national team is bigger than any individual,” he said in a post-match press conference.
As part of his new role, Lee is expected to lead the Lions to the 2026 Asean Championship and the 2027 Asian Cup.
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