Five Coaches Who Could Helm The Lions

Recent reports of Tatsuma Yoshida emerging as the fore-runner to take over the Men's National Football Team caused a huge furore in the local fraternity as many were quick to point out the Japanese national's managerial track record.

Yoshida, who has no international coaching experience, has had three short coaching stints with J-League sides Kashiwa Reysol (2015), Albirex Niigata (2016) and most recently, Ventforet Kofu (2017 - April 2018), where he was unceremoniously axed after leading the team to relegation in his first season and running into a string of bad results in the J2 League (the second tier of Japanese football) in the following year.

According to The Straits Times, sources have revealed that the 44-year-old, who played for former S.League club Jurong FC for one season in 2003, was recommended to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) by the Japan Football Association, and an interview was carried out by FAS via Skype last Thursday (Feb 21).

Photo: J.League

Whether Yoshida is appointed remains to be seen, but here are five potential coaches which I feel would bring success on the pitch for our Lions.

1. Kazuaki Yoshinaga

The former Albirex Niigata FC (S) gaffer won absolutely everything he possibly could during his two seasons with the White Swans and he would have no problems assimilating into the fabric of local football, having managed local players, Adam Swandi and Shahul Rayyan, when the league's rules were changed in 2018, requiring the Japanese side to include Singaporeans in their set-up.

Yoshinaga with Albirex Niigata FC (S) in 2018.

Yoshinaga's White Swans have constantly put in consistent, high-tempo shifts which retain the lion's share of the possession and it would be exciting to see how the Lions would perform under his supervision.

The 50-year-old is now the Academy Director of Albirex Niigata in Japan.

Former local sides managed: Albirex Niigata FC (S) - 2017 to 2018
Accolades: Singapore Premier League (S.League) Champions (2017, 2018), Singapore Cup Winners (2017, 2018), Singapore League Cup Winners (2017), Coach Of The Year (2017, 2018)

2. Aidil Sharin Sahak

Aidil Sharin's stock rose significantly after guiding Home United to their ASEAN Zonal Champions title in last season's AFC Cup competition, and the 41 year old is unbeaten in the 2019 Malaysia Super League since moving to Kedah FA in October last year.

Aidil with Home United in 2017

The former Protectors' coach is known for his brand of exciting, attack-oriented football, as well as his natural ability to nurture young players. Home United star, Song Ui-Young, is one such player who flourished under his wings since rising up from the Protectors' youth system.

Former local sides managed: Home United FC - 2017 to 2018
Accolades: AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Champions (2018), AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Runners-up (2017), Singapore Premier League Runners-up (2018), Singapore Cup 3rd Placing (2017)

3. Kadir Yahaya

While the former international's only coaching experience at the world level comes only from the Youth Olympic Games team in 2010, he led the Cubs to a memorable Bronze finish, beating Zimbabwe and Montenegro in the group stages before falling to eventual silver medalists Haiti in the semi-finals. The Cubs made up for that with a resounding 4 - 1 victory over the Montenegrins in the 3rd / 4th placing, with Ammirul Emmran and Hanafi Akbar both grabbing a brace in that match.

Photo: TNP

Kadir may have stayed away from professional football for a while, electing to nuture fledgling talents at St Joseph's Institution since 2012, but he has since moved back into the limelight by joining Tampines Rovers as their Head Coach / Advisor at the start of this season.

Kadir's no-nonsense approach might just be the jab in the arm which our Lions need.

Former local sides managed: National Football Academy - 2003 to 2007, Singapore SEA Games Squad (Assistant Coach) - 2015, Tampines - 2019 to present
Accolades: Youth Olympic Games Bronze Medal (2010)

4. Richard Bok

Local coaches do not get more succesful than Richard Bok. Under his tutelage, SAFFC (now known as Warriors FC) won four S.League titles between 2006 to 2009, as well as bagging three Singapore Cups in 2007, 2008, and 2012.

Photo: The Straits Times

Bok's accolades also include making football history in 2009 when he led SAFFC into the AFC Champions League group stages.

The 49-year-old is currently the Head Coach of the ActiveSG Football Academy's Serangoon Centre.

Former local sides managed: SAFFC - 2006 to 2012, Young Lions - 2014, Singapore U-22 National Team - 2015
Accolades: S.League Champions (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Singapore Cup Winners (2007, 2008, 2012), AFC Champions League East Playoff Winner (2009), Coach Of The Year (2006, 2007, 2009)

5. Radojko Avramović

It's hard to forget what Raddy did for Singapore football when he was in charge of the Lions for almost a decade between 2003 and 2012. The Lions enjoyed some of their finest years in regional tournaments, bagging the ASEAN Football Championship (now known as the Suzuki Cup) in 2004, 2007 and 2012.

Avramović was also known for scouting Hariss Harun and handing him his National Team debut in a friendly against North Korea on 24 June 2007, making Hariss the youngest player to ever play for Singapore at the age of 16 years and 217 days.

Photo: Straits Times

Raddy's most recent managerial appointment was with the Kuwait National Team in 2018 before Romeo Jozak took over in the middle of the season.

Former local sides managed: Singapore - 2003 to 2012
Accolades: ASEAN Football Championship (2004, 2007 and 2012)

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Aaron Chan
Writer
The SG Football Podcast