\n<\/p>\n
Who will be that coach? Fans and pundits alike are clamouring for caretaker coach Gavin Lee to be given the top job full-time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There has been a bit of post-victory chest-thumping in their arguments: He got us there, so he deserves the chance. Local boy knows our football culture better than foreign hired guns. If we don\u2019t trust one of our own, who will?<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s be clear, Lee has done a brilliant job so far. The 35-year-old stepped in as interim head coach in June when Tsutomu Ogura quit suddenly for personal reasons.<\/p>\n
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) went on a global search for a new big-name coach that its president Forrest Li promised would excite local fans. Amid several closed-door interviews and contract negotiations with candidates from faraway lands, the quiet and studious Lee from Tampines went about his work quietly and let his team\u2019s success speak for itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Delivering Asian Cup qualification is probably the best thing that a supposed seat-warmer could add to his CV to be considered a top candidate for the job.\u00a0<\/p>\n
FAS chief Li admitted as much: \u201cDefinitely, based on what Gavin has achieved, he will be a very, very strong candidate for us to consider. But we also have other very strong candidates in the pipeline. I think we’re in a good position. So, we have good choices.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n