Lee's ambition: A lasting impact in interim Lions role

Not even playing against legendary French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane and Thai stars Kiatisuk Senamuang, Tawan Sripan and Therd-sak Chaiman in a 2007 Adidas exhibition match in Chiang Mai could convince a teenage Gavin Lee to extend his playing career.

- David Lee

While he did well enough to become a Singapore Under-15 footballer alongside the likes of Hariss Harun and Izwan Mahbud under former Lion Kadir Yahaya, Lee, now their interim national coach, told The Straits Times: "The best player of my age group in my position was Hariss, and I was not close to his level, so I knew then I was never going to make it at a high level."

Instead, the former Victoria Junior College captain found his calling in coaching, and his gut instinct has proven right.

Now 34, Lee is one of the most highly rated Singaporean coaches with his brand of purposeful, possession-based football while at the helm of BG Tampines Rovers.

The assistant Lions coach was named interim successor to Tsutomu Ogura, after the Japanese stepped down in June as national coach. Lee will take charge for the next four games - starting with a Causeway derby in Malaysia on Sept 4 - marking another milestone in his coaching career.

Expressing gratitude to Football Association of Singapore president Forrest Li and deputy president Desmond Ong, he said: "It's always exciting to represent the country, and that comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations.

"My expectation is still to provide the players the best conditions, the best training, the best information, so that they are equipped with the best tools to go out there and succeed."