Tsutomu Ogura Resigns as Head Coach of Singapore Lions Amid Job Market Trends

Singapore, June 24, 2025 – Tsutomu Ogura, head coach of the Singapore Lions football team, has resigned from his position due to personal reasons that necessitate his return to Japan. His departure comes just 17 months into a two-year contract, raising questions about the team's future direction as they navigate a pivotal rebuilding phase. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed that Ogura’s personal matters made it untenable for him to continue, despite efforts to retain him.

Ogura, who assumed the role in February 2024, guided the Lions to the semi-finals of the ASEAN Championship and notable victories in Asian Cup qualifiers against teams such as the Maldives and Bangladesh. His resignation marks the third consecutive departure of a Japanese coach from the national team, following Takayuki Nishigaya. In the interim, Gavin Lee, former coach of Tampines Rovers, has been appointed as the interim head coach while FAS conducts a global search for a permanent replacement.

Ogura's leadership brought a wealth of experience to the Lions, having previously coached both the Japanese national team and Olympic squads. His resignation is seen as a significant setback for a team that was beginning to find its footing on the international stage.

In a separate but related development, Singapore’s job market is currently experiencing a cooling trend, with job postings falling for the fifth consecutive month. According to data from Indeed, job postings declined by 0.9% in May 2025. However, despite this slowdown, the demand for skilled technical roles remains robust, particularly in civil engineering, which saw a remarkable 19% increase in job postings since February. This uptick is attributed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Changi Airport.

Callam Pickering, Senior Economist at Indeed, noted that while the overall job market appears to be contracting, it remains significantly above pre-pandemic levels, with unemployment rates hovering at a low 2.1%. "Employers are still grappling with skill shortages, particularly in technical fields," said Pickering in a statement released on June 24, 2025.

The demand for civil engineering roles is complemented by growth in mechanical engineering (14%), industrial roles (6.5%), and emerging fields such as data analytics (5.6%). Conversely, healthcare-related job postings have seen considerable declines, with pharmacy and physician roles experiencing drops of 45% and 19%, respectively.

This juxtaposition of Ogura's resignation and the labor market trends underscores a moment of transition for Singapore, both in sports and economic sectors. As the Football Association seeks a new head coach to guide the Lions, the country’s job market continues to adapt, showcasing resilience in specific sectors even as others face challenges. The coming months will be crucial as both the football team and labor market strive to redefine their paths amidst changing circumstances.