New Lions head coach Gavin Lee lays out national football plan | Deep Dive

Key Concepts

• Singapore Football's Journey: The current state and future aspirations of Singaporean football, marked by recent qualification for the Asian Cup.
• Gavin Lee's Appointment: The transition of Gavin Lee from interim to head coach and the expectations placed upon him.
• Strategic Planning vs. Immediate Results: The debate between prioritizing long-term development through playing stronger opponents versus seeking immediate wins.
• "Unleash The Raw" (UTR) Project: A long-term initiative aimed at developing young football talent.
• Foundation Laid by Previous Coach: The impact of former coach Tsutomu Agura on improving team processes and efficiency.
• Asian Cup Qualification and Performance: Defining success for Singapore in the upcoming Asian Cup, focusing on normalization of qualification and then group stage progression.
• Youth Development and Talent Pipeline: Challenges and strategies for nurturing young players and ensuring a sustainable talent pool.
• Professionalization of Football: The need for players to be able to make football their primary career and the role of role models.
• Ecosystem Development: The importance of a supportive environment, including investment, sponsorship, and public pride, for football's growth.
• Pressure Management: Gavin Lee's personal strategies for coping with the demands of being a national team coach.

Gavin Lee's Vision for Singapore Football

This episode of "Deep Dive with Tiffany and Stephen" features an in-depth conversation with Gavin Lee, the newly appointed head coach of the Singapore national football team. The discussion centers on the team's recent qualification for the Asian Cup, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and Lee's strategic vision for the future of Singaporean football.

The Context: A Love-Hate Relationship and a Glimmer of Hope

The hosts acknowledge the often "love-hate relationship" Singaporeans have with their national football team, highlighting the surprise and joy following the team's 2-1 victory against Hong Kong, which secured their qualification for the Asian Cup. This success comes after a period of introspection and questioning about the state of Singaporean football, as previously explored in a story a year prior. Stephen expresses a "half glass full" perspective, believing this win marks a potential turning point.

Gavin Lee's Appointment and Initial Reaction

With the departure of former coach Tsutomu Agura in June, the search for a new head coach was paramount. Gavin Lee has stepped into the role, having guided the team to the crucial win against Hong Kong. Lee emphasizes that his success is not a solo effort but a result of the collective work of his support staff and the players. When asked about his initial reaction to being offered the head coach position, Lee reveals it was a process involving negotiations and discussions. He humorously notes that his immediate response was to consult his wife, a practice he has learned to value. He also engaged in conversations with "Forest" (presumably a team official or administrator) and the team to align expectations and plans.

Managing Expectations and the "Bigger Plan"

Lee addresses the heightened expectations following the Asian Cup qualification. He views these expectations positively, seeing them as a sign of renewed belief in the team's potential. However, he cautions against the pressure of constant winning, explaining that the team operates within a "bigger plan." The Asian Cup is a primary objective, and each international window is an opportunity for preparation. This involves playing stronger opponents, which may lead to "undesired results" but are crucial for development and testing the team's limits. He contrasts this with a strategy of playing weaker teams solely for wins, arguing that it wouldn't serve a "bigger purpose."

The "Unleash The Raw" (UTR) Project and a New Administration

When questioned about how his plan differs from previous ones, Lee points to a new administration and the ongoing "Unleash The Raw" (UTR) project. He believes that after years of UTR, things are starting to "come together." He stresses that the national team's journey is an "infinite game," requiring continuous progress rather than a final destination. The danger, he warns, is allowing a single result to define everything.

Immediate Concerns and the Strategy of Playing Stronger Teams

Lee identifies playing stronger oppositions as an immediate challenge. The plan involves exposing the team to teams they are not accustomed to playing. This strategy, while potentially leading to initial setbacks in performance and results, is seen as essential for normalizing competition against tougher opponents. The key is to remain resilient and learn from these experiences, rather than abandoning the plan. He acknowledges that this approach could be perceived as dangerous, as consistent losses might impact morale. However, he cites past games against Thailand and Malaysia, where despite not winning, the team showed improved performance. Lee emphasizes assessing the journey through performance rather than solely focusing on results, trusting that consistent right decisions will eventually lead to desired outcomes.

Communicating the Vision to Stakeholders

Lee recognizes the importance of clear communication to all stakeholders, including players, staff, the organization, fans, and supporters. He admits that the strategy of playing stronger teams to gain experience might not have been clear to the general public, who often prioritize seeing their team win.

Building on the Foundation Laid by Tsutomu Agura

Lee credits former coach Tsutomu Agura for laying a "strong foundation." Agura, who came from Yokohama Marinos (a J1 top-flight team), brought clarity and improved workflows and work processes, enhancing operational efficiency and creating a better environment for the players. Lee sees himself as continuing Agura's work, saving time and ensuring continuity in ideas and player development. His role is to build upon this foundation and identify the "extra step" needed for further progress.

Normalizing Competition and the Path to the Asian Cup

The immediate goal for players and staff is to normalize playing against teams they don't typically face. Lee uses the analogy of muscle growth requiring overload to become stronger, applying this to team development. He notes that while Singapore is comfortable competing within ASEAN, the challenge lies in replicating this against Asian teams outside of ASEAN. He acknowledges that this is a new process and success is not guaranteed, but they will "give it a very good push."

World Cup Dreams and Contractual Realities

When asked about World Cup dreams, Lee remains pragmatic, stating that it's uncertain when or if they will reach that stage. He reiterates the importance of managing expectations. His current contract is for 18 months, with the primary focus on qualifying for and performing well in the Asian Cup. Beyond that, the aim is to leave a stronger foundation for future coaches. He highlights the opportunities presented by the new administration and the potential to "expedite the process."

The Significance of the New Administration and Resources

Lee emphasizes the importance of the new administration for providing clear direction and resources, which in turn allows for greater possibilities and easier alignment within the team. He clarifies that it's an "improvement" rather than a statement of prior misalignment.

Managing Player Availability and Training

Lee acknowledges the difficulty of working with national team players who have their own club commitments, meaning they are not available for training every day. His job is to minimize uncertainties when they do come together, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding strategy and play. He notes that the second game in an international window is often better because the team has had more time to gel. The goal is continuous improvement, not starting from a lower level each time.

Team Cohesion and Shared Vision

While acknowledging that perfect alignment is rare, Lee believes in getting the "majority in the same direction." He highlights the unifying power of shared goals, such as qualifying for the Asian Cup and performing well in it, acting as a "powerful glue."

Defining Success in the Asian Cup

For the Asian Cup, Lee defines success not by a specific number of goals or wins, but by context. As this is Singapore's first qualification by merit, the next target is to normalize qualification. Once qualification becomes a norm, then discussions about bigger achievements, like qualifying for the group stage, can take place. The current focus is on making this first step a "stable platform" for sustainable progress.

Youth Development and the Talent Pipeline

Lee addresses concerns about a lean talent pipeline and a lack of young players entering the system. He acknowledges a strong core group and promising young players, but they require time to adapt to the demands of the national team. He sees evidence of effort at the youth level and expects more players to emerge, but emphasizes that it's a developmental process that takes time. He also points to Singapore's smaller population as a factor, necessitating a focus on maximizing the talent pool.

The Ecosystem and the Madrid Scholars

Regarding young players training abroad, like those seen in Madrid, Lee notes that it will take approximately 10 years for them to potentially reach the national team. He acknowledges that "many things can happen" during this period. He is confident that there are enough people with the right intentions within the ecosystem to support the national team's goals and nurture talent.

Professionalization and Role Models

Lee discusses the challenge of players needing day jobs due to insufficient income from football. He states that most players in the league now consider football their main job. The focus is on increasing the base and having more players come through. He highlights players like Glen Quay as role models who have shown that a career in football is possible. He also reflects on his own journey, balancing education with his passion for football.

Overcoming Obstacles and the "Chicken and Egg" Scenario

Lee advises young aspiring footballers that if they truly want something and understand their "why," they will overcome obstacles. He believes that winning will attract sponsors, which in turn feeds into the ecosystem and can lead to higher pay for players. He describes this as a "chicken and egg" situation.

Public Support and Pride in the National Team

The recent qualification for the Asian Cup has generated interest from people wanting to contribute to the football ecosystem. Lee finds this "pleasing to hear" and emphasizes that the national team's guiding principle is to be a team that Singaporeans can be proud of. This pride, he believes, will lead to positive consequences, including joy, results, and increased contributions to the sport.

Coping with Pressure

When asked about his coping mechanisms for the immense pressure, Lee states that it's not easy. He focuses on managing his thoughts, reframing negative messages, and reminding himself of his purpose and goals. Exercise is also a crucial part of his routine. He humorously contrasts his role of directing players to kick a ball with the players' ability to actually play.

Conclusion and Well Wishes

The hosts express excitement for Gavin Lee and wish him and the Singapore national team all the best. They look forward to having him back on the show with more positive news, potentially after his contract renewal. The episode concludes with a call for viewer engagement, encouraging them to share their thoughts on Singaporean football.