SINGAPORE -- After guiding Singapore to a historic first AFC Asian Cup on merit in an interim capacity, Gavin Lee has been appointed the permanent head coach of the Lions -- through to the tournament in January 2027.
His promotion to the job on a fulltime basis, which was a huge topic of conversation after the Lions' qualification with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Hong Kong earlier this month, was confirmed at a news conference held at the Football Association of Singapore's headquarters at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday afternoon.
In addition to the Asian Cup, which will take place in 2027 from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, another big assignment for Lee will be next year's ASEAN Championship -- officially known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 -- set for July 24 to Aug. 26, a tournament the Lions have not won since 2012.
Lee's coaching journey -- which he pursued years after deciding to forego his aspirations to make it as a professional player even though he a talented prospect that once played alongside current Singapore internationals Hariss Harun and Izwan Mahbud -- is a remarkable one.
The 35-year-old started out coaching in a private academy and nurtured the youngest of age groups, before working his way up to the professional setup -- first as an assistant at now-defunct Warriors FC, who are the Singapore Premier League's record nine-time champions, and then when he became the competition's youngest head coach in history when he was handed the reins of BG Tampines Rovers at just 29.
Reflecting on his journey, Lee said: "I first started coaching Under-4s and now to be entrusted with the national team is a true honour.
"It's a privilege I don't take lightly, and I hope it shows others that with commitment and hard work, opportunities like this are achievable."
Lee is the first Singaporean to lead the Lions in a permanent capacity since V. Sundramoorthy was in charge from 2016 to 2018, although both Fandi Ahmad and Nazri Nasir did have similar stints as caretaker coach.
He was first introduced to the national team setup last March when the good work he did with Tampines did not go unnoticed by then-Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura, who invited him to be part of his backroom staff.
After Ogura's abrupt departure due to personal reasons in June, Lee was entrusted by FAS with the task of finishing Singapore's Asian Cup qualifying campaign -- which he proved to be a successful one as he guided them to top spot in Group C even with one final game to be played in March.
On Lee's appointment, FAS president Forrest Li said: "The team's recent displays of cohesion and resilience was built on Gavin's familiarity with the players and staff, and the trust and confidence he has inspired in the dressing room.
"He has shown just how effective that atmosphere can be for our Lions, and we are confident that he will help the team grow from strength to strength from here, as we kick off preparations for the Asian Cup."
The Lions are still unbeaten under Lee in competitive action with two wins and a draw from the three Asian Cup qualifiers since he has been at the helm, although they have tasted defeat to Malaysia and Thailand -- along with a draw against Myanmar -- in friendlies.