The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Fires Coach Takayuki Nishigaya for Poor Performance noting recent performances and results of the national team as below expectation and the decision announced on Jan 29 came after careful consideration by the national governing body.
Background of Takayuki Nishigaya
In a media statement FAS expressed gratitude to Nishigaya for his tenure but emphasized the need for a fresh start stating “The recent performances and results of the national team have been below expectation… The FAS believes an early transition to a fresh successor would re-energize the team and allow a longer runway for the team to prepare for important matches in the next few months and the year-end of AFF tournament”.
Nishigaya, 50, was appointed in April 2022 on a two-year contract succeeding Tatsuma Yoshida who departed a year before his contract was up. His hiring process involved recommendations from the Japan Football Association technical committee and approval by a panel comprising key FAS officials.
Reasons for Firing
Despite his credentials which included coaching stints with J2 side Mito Hollyhock and Japan’s third-division club SC Sagamihara, Nishigaya’s tenure as Lions coach yielded mixed results with a record of eight wins, eight losses and five draws in 21 matches his leadership faced consideration particularly during critical moments such as the team’s defeat against Malaysia and a premature exit from the AFF Championship group stage in January 2023.
Response and Future Outlook
The decision to relieve Nishigaya of his duties was not unforeseen as discontent among fans and players grew apparent. Following Thailand’s victory over Singapore in a World Cup qualifier sections of Lions supporters voiced their dissatisfaction and urging for a change in leadership.
Successor Announcement
In response to Nishigaya’s departure the FAS is poised to announce Tsutomu Ogura, a former Japan national team assistant coach as the next national coach. Ogura, 57, brings a wealth of experience having served in various coaching capacities including assistant coach for Japan’s Olympic team during the 2012 London Olympics.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, Lions captain Hariss Harun expressed optimism for the future while acknowledging the need for improvement stating, “Whoever comes in next, it is important to work together and do our best to improve Singapore football… We have the AFF tournament and the qualifiers this year to look forward to”.
The Lions upcoming fixtures including back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against China and the anticipated AFF Championship in late November will serve as a litmus test for the new coaching regime as they seek to propel Singaporean football to greater heights.
The Football Association of Singapore Fires Coach Takayuki Nishigaya underscores the organization’s commitment to elevating the performance of the national team. With the appointment of Tsutomu Ogura on the horizon the focus now shifts to charting a new course for Singaporean football and reclaiming its competitive edge on the regional stage.
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