Gary Tan tipped to be next swimming head coach

SINGAPORE — While Joseph Schooling’s Olympic triumph in Rio is expected to herald a new era for Singapore swimming, a new man in-charge has been tasked to lead the swimmers to greater heights.

TODAY understands that the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) is expected to appoint former swim star Gary Tan to succeed Sergio Lopez as national head coach. An announcement, it is believed, will be made in the coming days.

Lopez, the Spaniard who played an instrumental role in grooming Schooling into an Olympic champion, ends his 20-month Singapore stint on Aug 30. And Tan, who has been Lopez’s assistant since January 2015, said he is ready to make the step up.

“If I’m given the job, I’ll be ready,” said the 34-year-old on Friday (Aug 19). “I’ll take on the responsibility to do the right things. I’ll continue whatever legacy that Sergio has put in place.”

The two-time Olympian (2000, 2004), who retired as a national swimmer in 2007, added: “I’m up for the challenge. Putting myself in uncomfortable situations may sometimes be a good thing as well.

“I am learning to deal with pressure, and with things that can make us better.”

If appointed, Tan will be the first local national swimming head coach since 2012 when Singapore swim legend Ang Peng Siong left the hot seat after a four-year reign.

In an earlier interview with TODAY, Lopez had called for “Singaporeans to believe in Singaporeans” and gave a ringing endorsement to his assistant, describing him as “the ideal candidate”.

While Tan knows he has to fill the big shoes left behind by Lopez, he is looking forward to the huge challenge.

“This is a very big task, but Singaporeans tend to shy away from challenges. Some (candidates) may think ‘Sergio has done so much, what if I get thrown into the fire and look as if I did not help improve my country’s swim team’.

“Not many are willing to go in there, and say, let’s make something out of what we have.

“People may also say that I lack the experience (to take on this role), but over the years, I have been working very closely with Sergio, and I understand what he needed to do (in his job here). It is still a learning curve.”

Tan, who helped to groom the likes of the Quah siblings - Ting Wen and Zheng Wen - over the years when he was with the Swimfast Aquatic Club, added that Lopez has helped him to become a more well-rounded coach.

“Over the past 18 months, I have changed a fair bit. I used to be very hot-tempered and fiery,” he admitted.

“My whole thought process now is a bit different. I am approaching things in a much more calm and collected manner, giving things much deeper thought and being more reflective over my swimmers’ performances after every competition.”

Tan also believes the future is bright for Singapore swimming.

“In 2020 (Olympics), definitely (I hope to see) Zheng Wen and Joseph continue to push for podium finishes, and to (put themselves up for) medal contention,” he said.

“I also want to have a relay team on board as well (for the Olympics).

“We have a good relay squad. So we can build on getting a full-fledged relay team with four male and four female swimmers in both medley and freestyle relays.”

Naming youngsters like Francis Fong, Zachary Ian Tan, Maximillian Ang, Quah Jing Wen, Hoong En Qi, Marina Chan and Christie Chue as proof of an already rich pool of talent here, Tan said: “I hope that, eventually, there will be more swimmers who can make the (Olympics) ‘A’ cut.

“I am ready, and we just have to believe.”