SINGAPORE – The Singapore Football Association has announced the dismissal of Takayuki Nishigaya, head coach of the men’s national team.
Nishigaya, who took over as manager in April 2022, will follow in the footsteps of well-liked Japanese compatriot Daruma Yoshida, who became a fan favorite after leading Singapore to the semi-finals of the 2020 AFF Championship. Inherited.
Despite this, Nishigaya was unable to find similar success, winning only eight of his 21 games in charge, a win rate of just 38%.
In an official statement released on Monday night, the FAS attributed his dismissal to the fact that recent performances and results had been “below expectations” and added that “an early transition to a new replacement is a priority for the team.” Give us a longer runway to reinvigorate and prepare for the important games in the coming months and the AFF (Championship) at the end of the year.”
Most of Nishigaya’s wins came against teams lower than the Lions in the FIFA World Rankings, but he achieved three consecutive wins between September and October of last year.
However, two losses (including a 5-0 loss to South Korea) before the start of the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup increased the pressure on the 50-year-old.
There had already been speculation after Singapore lost 3-1 to Thailand in November last year, but Nishigaya was asked whether he would continue to coach in the next qualifying round in March and said he was unsure. answered.
FAS have less than two months to appoint a replacement before continuing their World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header against China on March 21 and 26.