There are moments in sport that shift something deeper than a scoreline — evenings where a team discovers something new about itself, and a nation rediscovers something it thought it had lost. For Singapore, that moment arrived on 18 November, on a cool night in Hong Kong, where the Lions fought from a goal down to win 2–1 and qualify for the AFC Asian Cup on merit for the first time in history.

In the stands, surrounded by 50,000 Hong Kong supporters, FAS President Forrest Li remembered the tension vividly: “Just sitting there in front of 50,000 Hong Kong fans, cheering in red, I felt my leg shaking. It was really, really hard.” But what he saw on the pitch was unwavering clarity from a young coach thrust into the most critical moment of his career.

At the heart of that comeback stood Gavin Lee — calm, analytical, relentlessly prepared. He guided Singapore not with theatrics, but with conviction. Ten days later, when the final whistle of the Hong Kong win had settled into national memory, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed what many inside the dressing room already felt: the Lions had found their leader.

On Friday, the FAS officially unveiled the 35-year-old as the new permanent head coach of the Singapore men’s national team — rewarding a coach whose work has spoken louder than any résumé ever could.

Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li made it clear: this decision was not romantic, nor convenient. It was earned. “Our belief is we want to bring the joy and pride back to everyone in Singapore. That evening, the whole of Singapore cheered for us, and every Singaporean felt proud and happy.”

But pride alone wasn’t what sealed the appointment. It was what he saw behind the scenes — the unity, the clarity, the belief. “I really appreciate Gavin. There’s a lot of sacrifice, and he’s willing to step up to take this challenge.”

This was the product of a long, rigorous search — interviews with foreign coaches, analysis of dozens of CVs, consultations with technical advisors. Experienced international names were considered seriously. The process was global, meticulous, and uncompromising. “We saw 67 different coaches in various forms. We spoke to about 20 late into the night, and none were moving the needle. Gavin, in our own backyard, stood out — both in ability and in his connection with the players.”

And yet, inside the team hotel, on the training pitch, and especially in the post-match huddles, a different truth was emerging — quieter, but impossible to ignore: the players were already responding to their next permanent head coach. “If the players want to play for the coach, then it’s already half the battle won,” Forrest noted.

Badhri Ghent, FAS Acting General Secretary and co-chair of the search committee, put it plainly: “Gavin passed the ultimate test and interview through the performances and results of the Singapore national team. He gave us what we wanted most — qualification to the AFC Asian Cup.”

The decision was also shaped by careful reflection from FAS Deputy President Desmond Ong, who has long observed Singapore football from both the administrative and personal perspectives. “With Gavin, there’s a fine line between genius and insanity. If everything had gone pear-shaped, I’d look like the biggest fool. But if you’ve spent any time with him, his work ethic is second to none.”

Desmond also highlighted the moments of doubt and the gradual build of confidence, showing that the appointment was as much about trust as talent. “Yes, there were moments when I doubted it. I doubted it a lot. But with every passing day, the confidence grew.”

From his perspective, Gavin’s local insight and connection with the players were crucial. “If we speak to the players themselves, it became increasingly evident they wanted Gavin to remain as coach. And I think their voices should be the loudest. Being a local is a boon.”

Desmond also emphasised the importance of giving Gavin the experience he needed to grow into the role, balancing risk with vision. “If we don’t give him the experience, who’s going to give him the experience? It’s done with a lot of serious, hard thinking. This is not a man of the moment — it’s a decision built on trust and observation.”

He was adamant about the commitment of leadership to uphold the team’s standards and protect the integrity of the shirt. “As long as Forrest is president, Gavin is coach, and Harris is captain, these three men will die before they let any of the players disgrace the shirt.”

Lee becomes the first permanent local head coach since 2016, and one of the youngest in Asia to lead a national team into the continent’s biggest stage. But his age is not a limitation — it is a promise of fresh ideas, a long runway, and a coach who sees Singapore not just as a posting, but as a possibility for so much more. In naming him coach, Forrest Li emphasised the FAS’s commitment to both Gavin and the larger vision. “Everything we are doing now is optimised for the 2027 Asian Cup. There will be no knee-jerk reactions. Our plan is long-term, and Gavin is central to that vision.”

This is a partnership grounded in ambition. For Lee, the appointment is not the culmination of a rise — but the continuation of a journey shaped by countless ordinary days that now feel extraordinary. “I was never alone. I had many fathers, from my parents to Coach Kadir, Harvey Davis, Alex Weaver, Coach Ogura. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

He also spoke of the people who carried him through moments unseen — mentors like Coach Kadir. “He is my role model. He ignited the passion I have in the game.”

He remembered the fine margins too. “If Hariss Harun didn’t block the cross in Hong Kong, we might have a different conversation tonight. That night was only possible because everybody pulled together — staff, players, fans, and the supporters from the public and private sectors.”

This humility, paired with meticulous preparation, is what players often highlight when asked about him. They describe a coach who listens deeply, analyses relentlessly, and speaks only when he has something valuable to say. “Ultimately, it’s about maintaining calm, staying in the moment, and focusing on what’s most important — helping the boys, helping the staff, helping the team.”

His philosophy is simple in words but demanding in practice: cohesion before chaos, clarity before complexity, unity before tactics. “Players must enjoy what they do. They must want to be around, represent the country, and give 100% every time.”

Gavin has never overstated his role in Singapore’s progress. He has always insisted that this is a continuation, not a reset. “I owe a lot to Coach Ogura who headed the team before me. He gave me a platform and the trust to grow.”

Beyond the scorelines, something else happened after that night in Hong Kong. Singaporeans reconnected with their team. The FAS inbox, usually calm, exploded. Messages poured in from people wanting to help, volunteer, support youth development, or simply say they hadn’t felt this kind of pride in years. “When we have the team go well, and every family is happy, it pulls people together. Everybody wants to contribute.”

It was both qualification and a sense of belonging. And it’s this sense of belonging that the FAS hopes to carry into the ASEAN Championship, and ultimately, the Asian Cup. Lee’s first formal match as permanent head coach will be in March 2026 against Bangladesh. After that comes the 2026 ASEAN Championship — a proving ground for a team finding its new identity — and then the 2027 Asian Cup, where Singapore will walk in as underdogs with nothing to lose and everything to create.

For Lee, the task is clear; every tournament has a first goal to show that anything is possible. “When we arrive at the Asian Cup, the boys will give their best and show they can achieve great things.”

Gavin Lee did not arrive at this moment because of legacy, reputation, or symbolism. He arrived because of the work. In his preparation, connection to the players, and clarity of vision, all this comes together to forge a steadfast belief in what Singapore football can become. The FAS chose him to ignite momentum, and as Badhri Ghent summarised with the blunt honesty of someone who has seen football from the inside: “Gavin passed the ultimate test — through performances and results, he earned the role.”

Featured Photo Credit: Football Association of Singapore