SINGAPORE — Singapore men’s national football team coach Takayuki Nishigaya has been fired less than two years after he took charge, with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) citing the Lions' recent below-par performances and results as the reason for his dismissal.

FAS said in a press statement on Monday (Jan 29) that the decision to part ways with Nishigaya was reached after “careful consideration”.

“The recent performances and results of the national team have been below expectation, and the FAS believes that an early transition to a fresh successor would re-energise the team and allow a longer runway for the national team to prepare for important matches in the next few months and the year-end AFF (Asean Football Federation) tournament,” it added.

FAS said that it will be announcing Nishigaya’s successor “in due course”.

Nishigaya was hired as the national team coach in April 2022, as the replacement for fellow Japanese Tatsuma Yoshida, who resigned in December 2021.

He had previously coached J-league Two side Mito Hollyhock and third-division club SC Sagamihara.

Nishigaya presided over 21 matchs as Lions coach, recording eight wins, five draws and eight losses.

The Lions' last two matches were in the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers — a 3-1 defeat to Asean neighbours Thailand and a 5-0 thrashing by regional powerhouse South Korea.

The national team next face China in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers — at home on March 21 and away on March 26.

“The FAS would like to place on record its gratitude and thank Nishigaya for his work in Singapore and wish him every success in his future endeavours,” the association said.