Who is Gavin Lee
Coach Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee’s story is a powerful example of what happens when coaching is driven by belief in people, not just results. As the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history and now the interim coach who led Singapore to a historic Asian Cup qualification, he embodies the spirit of what CoachAnything.com exists to celebrate.
Choosing coaching over the safer path
Like many Singaporeans, Gavin pursued a university degree at Nanyang Technological University, but he refused to treat football coaching as a hobby. He juggled full-time studies with full-time coaching, pouring “blood, sweat and tears” into building JSSL into a proper organisation that served hundreds of young players and families. When the opportunity arose to transition into professional coaching, his mentors encouraged him to pursue it, and he chose the uncertain path because he believed he could make a greater contribution by developing people in the professional arena.
Youngest head coach in the league
In 2017, Gavin joined Tampines Rovers as an assistant coach and quickly impressed players and staff with his depth of knowledge and clarity of ideas. In 2019, at just 28, he was appointed head coach, making him the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history. He immediately led Tampines Rovers to second place in the league in both 2019 and 2020, while also winning the Singapore Cup and the Community Shield. His rise was not built on celebrity status as a former star player, but on preparation, humility and an obsession with helping every player improve.
Belief in youth and belief in people
Working at a club without the financial resources of its biggest rivals, Gavin doubled down on what he believed in most: developing people. He entrusted key roles to young players, helped them grow, and watched several of them earn full international caps for Singapore. This commitment to giving opportunities, building processes and focusing on long-term growth rather than quick fixes reflects a deep belief that, with the right coaching environment, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.
Those who work with Gavin often describe his presence as calm yet demanding. He emphasises the importance of composure, courage, and balance, not only in tactical decisions, but in how players conduct themselves under pressure, in defeat and in victory. Even when he uses a “hairdryer treatment” in the dressing room, it is anchored in care and standards rather than ego, reinforcing that his role is to hold a mirror up for his players so they can grow.
In 2024, Gavin joined the Singapore national team’s coaching staff, and by mid-2025, he was appointed interim head coach following the previous coach's stepping down. Taking over mid-campaign, he led the Lions to a strong run of results, including a crucial draw and win against India and a decisive 2–1 away victory over Hong Kong, securing qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup; Singapore’s first qualification on merit and first appearance since 1984. Players and observers have credited him with giving the team a renewed sense of belief that Singapore can compete with Asia’s best.
Coaching as an act of humanity
Beneath the trophies and headlines, Gavin’s journey is a story about how one coach can treat the profession as an act of service to humanity. From grassroots academies to the national team, his consistent theme is the same: respect each individual, demand their best, and create an environment where people feel seen, trusted and challenged. In a world that often measures coaches only by silverware, Gavin Lee reminds us that the real legacy of a great coach is written in the confidence, character and courage of the people they leave behind.