Observers said a new coach needs to be hired soon in order to build relationships with the players and understand the local football environment.
Football pundit and commentator Rhysh Roshan Rai said Ogura had “brought a lot more belief” into the Lions, who now have clearer ideas about the team.
“They want to try and dominate teams … They want to go out and play, and they want to show that they have courage on the ball, so I think all these things are really encouraging and you would like to see this continue,” added the former Singapore Armed Forces FC midfielder.
“I don’t think it’ll be a good idea to get someone who’s going to basically rip up all the tactics and come in with his own ideas, own approach. Because at the international level, you don’t have much time to work with these players.”
Rai noted that the new coach will also have to consider if Lions are getting enough playing minutes in the SPL, which recently raised the number of foreign players to seven per match.
“We’re seeing SPL clubs, for example, signing foreign goalkeepers, and so that’s going to be a key area as well. We already don’t have a great goalkeeping situation in Singapore,” he added.
Ogura had left his role with some advice for Singapore football.
“Singapore must look for its own way, not chase another country, or chase another way of how to do things,” he said.
“Always keep confidence. Keep trust to our players, then our staff, then I think for Singapore a new history is coming.”
