V SUNDRAMOORTHY
After Stange’s departure, V Sundramoorthy returned to the national team in May 2016 as caretaker coach on a one-year contract. This was extended in 2017 by another year.
In a statement, then-FAS vice-president Lim Kia Tong said that the association had “received applications from many qualified and experienced applicants around the world”, but ultimately decided to give a local coach the opportunity to coach the national team.
When he took the job, Sundram became the first Singaporean national coach in 16 years – Vincent Subramaniam took charge from 1998 to 2000.
The Lions suffered a torrid AFF Cup campaign in 2016, finishing last in their group after defeats to Thailand and Indonesia, as well as a goalless draw with host Philippines.
The following year, Singapore failed to win a single game.
Sundram stepped down from his role in April 2018, with a record of three wins, five draws and 15 defeats in 23 matches.