New Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura Faces Tough Press Conference

Stepping into the role of head coach for a national team is a daunting task in any country, but for Tsutomu Ogura, the new director for Singapore’s senior and Under-22 men’s teams, the challenge is even greater. Coming from Japan with English not being his native language, Ogura faced a roomful of skeptical local media when he was unveiled at the Football Association of Singapore’s headquarters on Feb 1.

With journalists eager for answers and camera shutters clicking away, the pressure was on for Ogura to make a good first impression. Despite his nerves and initial struggles with the English language, Ogura’s sincerity and determination soon shone through. He insisted on speaking in English, even though a translator was offered, and slowly but surely, he found his confidence during the 55-minute media conference.

By the end of the press conference, Ogura had won over the room, with his charm and sense of humor breaking the tension and getting journalists to warm up to him. It was clear that he was determined to connect with fans and the media in a way that his predecessors had struggled to do.

Replacing former national coach Takayuki Nishigaya, who was fired on Jan 29, Ogura has big shoes to fill. His predecessors, including Nishigaya and Tatsuma Yoshida, had their own challenges in connecting with fans and the media, and it remains to be seen if Ogura will be able to bridge that gap.

Despite the pressure and expectations placed on him, Ogura is not only tasked with coaching the Lions but also overseeing the Under-22 team, following a review of the Young Lions’ poor performance at the 2023 SEA Games. It is clear that Ogura is ready to face these challenges head-on, and his determination to do his best is evident in his every word and action.

As a new era begins for Singaporean football under the leadership of Tsutomu Ogura, fans and media alike will be watching closely to see if he can bring success to the Lions and earn their support and trust. Only time will tell if Ogura’s appointment will be the catalyst for a brighter future for Singaporean football.