Month: September 2026
Timing is everything, or so Mark Jackson firmly believes.
He officially left his post at Buriram United on 5 September after a hugely successful 11 months in charge of the Thai powerhouse, whom he led to a historic treble of the Thai League 1, Thai FA Cup and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup in the 2025/26 season.
Just four days later, he was unveiled as the Lion City Sailors’ new Head Coach, tasked with delivering similar success with the Singapore champions.
What happened in between? Plenty, to say the least.
“I went home to spend a couple of days with my family in England, and while I was there, the call came. I flew to Singapore, and we were able to get the deal done fairly quickly,” shared the Englishman.
“Sometimes, it feels like fate that these things happen in football. I had a great time at Buriram and made some great friends there, but it was the right time for me to leave. Luckily for me, this opportunity with the Sailors came along.
“I met with the owner and Director of Football, and their ambitions for the club aligned perfectly with my beliefs. That is why I am here.”
A two-and-a-half-hour chat with Forrest
Jackson had initially envisaged taking an extended break with his family in Leeds, but a lengthy conversation with Sailors Chairman Forrest Li changed those plans.
“We spoke for more than two and a half hours,” he revealed. “But it did not feel that long, and we both felt the same way. The conversation went by really quickly, and that is a good sign when you can connect so naturally with someone.
“He was keen to learn about my background and my approach to leading a team. Likewise, it was great for me to hear about the club and his vision for its future.
“Once I saw his passion for the Sailors, it was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted to join this club.”
Jackson’s track record of winning trophies and delivering success on the continental and regional stages points towards an exciting future for the Sailors.
Before joining Buriram, he led Central Coast Mariners to the A-League Men Premiership and Championship double, as well as the AFC Cup title, in the 2023/24 season. It was the final edition of Asia’s second-tier club competition before it was replaced by the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two.
“That was my first venture outside the UK as both a player and a head coach, so it was quite daunting. But it turned out to be a really successful and positive experience in Australia,” reflected Jackson.
“I built strong connections with the people at the club, the community and the supporters. Beyond the trophies we won, that was really important to me.”
And, of course, Jackson’s journey cannot be told without mentioning Leeds United.
After joining Leeds at the age of 11, he went on to make 19 senior appearances for the club between 1995 and 2000 before continuing his playing career in the lower divisions of English football.
Jackson returned to Leeds as a coach in 2015 and progressed through the Academy ranks, working with the Under-15s, Under-16s and Under-18s before leading the Under-23s to the Premier League 2 Division 2 title in the 2020/21 season.
He subsequently worked under two prominent managers and was promoted by Jesse Marsch to First Team Coach, a position he held for almost a year before taking on his first senior head-coaching role at Milton Keynes Dons in December 2022.
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“Leeds was the club where I grew up. I started there at 11, left at 22 and then returned in 2015 to work with the Academy, so it will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said.
“There are plenty of memories, especially from working with Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch. I was fortunate to work under two fantastic and intense managers with great standing in the game.
“I learnt a lot from them, and those experiences helped me develop my own leadership style.”
Building connections and going all in
Jackson’s experience of working in different environments and with squads from diverse footballing backgrounds stands him in good stead for his role with the Sailors.
Wherever he goes, one principle remains central to his approach: building meaningful connections.
“As a head coach, it is important to bring your own style to a club. My leadership style is centred on connecting with and understanding people,” he explained. “I like to build those individual relationships, and from there, we develop our playing style and philosophy.
“Embracing and embedding yourself in the club’s culture and community is really important. Then it is about communicating your ideas to the players and getting them to play your brand of football.
“I managed to do that at my last two clubs, and I will work very hard to make sure it happens at the Sailors as well.”
That approach was immediately evident in Jackson’s first team talk, when he told the players that the door to his office at Mattar Road would always be open.
“I like interacting with people, and I think it is important that the players and I do not only talk about football. I have told them that my door is always open,” he said. “It is important that we can have both positive and difficult conversations whenever there is a need to talk.
“The Sailors are operating at a high level, competing in several competitions and harbouring ambitions to continue growing. These connections with individual players will be a vital part of that journey.”
So what can supporters expect from a Mark Jackson team on the pitch?
“Hard work and intensity. I demand full commitment from everyone around the team, so we will play a very front-footed and dominant style of football,” said Jackson, who took charge of the Sailors for the first time in a 1-1 ACL Two draw with BG Pathum United, just two days after his first training session with the team.
“At the same time, we will be playing many matches across different competitions, so we have to be adaptable. That will take time to develop.”
Jackson subscribes to an “all-in” mentality and is determined to create an environment in which training is demanding but enjoyable.
“I use that phrase a lot in everything we do: all in. We do not just dip our toes in, where we are committed one day and not the next. That is not how I work. We commit fully to what we are doing and to the process,” he said.
“We understand there will be bumps along the way, but we have to stick to what we do and believe in the process. It will be tough, but it will also be fun.
“While I expect high standards from the players, we as staff must also live up to those standards and set the example. This team is built on mutual respect, and from our short time together, I can already see that we can enjoy this journey together.”
Ready to embrace the challenge ahead
Jackson believes he has the quality and ingredients at his disposal to deliver a successful season, including a familiar face from his time at Buriram.
“Oh yes, Ilhan Fandi,” he said with a smile. “He knows a lot about me, and I am sure he has already told the players what to expect.
“We have a fantastic squad with international players and Singapore national team players. Now it is up to me to assess them closely every day, understand how they work and see how they respond to my coaching and tactical demands.
“The important thing is to get going as quickly as possible and deliver the performances and results we want.”
Having already tasted success in Asian and regional competitions with the AFC Cup and Shopee Cup, Jackson is relishing the opportunity to lead the Sailors towards further glory on the continental stage.
“It is exciting to compete in these competitions. Testing yourself at the highest level against the best teams and in front of big crowds is what you work towards every day in football,” he said.
“There is a big responsibility on us, both as staff and players, but we embrace that and are ready to attack the challenge.
“We have the infrastructure, people and passion at the Sailors to achieve big things, and I am really excited to get going.”
A total of 11 players from the Lion City Sailors will fly the flag for Singapore in the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026™, which will take place between 25 September and 5 October in Indonesia.
Lions and Sailors captain Hariss Harun will be joined by Lionel Tan, Nur Adam Abdullah, Hami Syahin, Kyoga Nakamura, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, as well as new recruits Ryhan Stewart, Glenn Kweh, Farhan Zulkifli, and Ilhan Fandi – forming the nucleus of Gavin Lee’s final 23-man squad that seeks to represent Singapore with pride in FIFA’s newest international tournament.
The Lions will kick off their ASEAN Cup Group A campaign next Friday, 25 September against hosts Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, before facing Bangladesh three days later (28 September) at the same venue and Causeway rivals Malaysia at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on 1 October.
The group winner will then progress into the Division 1 final to take on the winner of Group B, which consists of Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and Philippines, on 5 October.
We wish our Lions representatives the best in the upcoming tourney.
All photos courtesy of Football Association of Singapore
The Lion City Sailors opened their 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group F campaign with a 1-1 draw against BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September) evening.
In a closely contested encounter, the Sailors took a first-half lead through a Marko Nikolić own goal, before Patrik Gustavsson drew the visitors level shortly after the break. Both sides had opportunities to find a winner thereafter, but neither could make the decisive breakthrough as the points were shared.
The match also marked new Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson and Assistant Coach Cameron Toshack’s first game in the dugout. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Jackson praised his players for adapting quickly despite having had limited time to work together, while stressing that there is plenty more to come from his side.
“Our intention will always be to win every home game. There were certain elements today which I was really pleased with, and other areas where we need to be more consistent. We want to be a side that plays on the front foot and creates lots of chances, while remaining strong in defence,” said Coach Jackson.
“That will take a bit of time, as I have been with the team for only two days and we’ve already tried to implement lots of things. However, I’m proud of what the boys have done and how they’ve taken the information on board. Today, they showed in parts of the game that they wanted to do the right things.
“It might not have always come off, but the big thing is that the boys showed fight, togetherness and a willingness to learn as well, and that’s very important to me.”
The Englishman’s charges started brightly, dictating the early proceedings and enjoying the majority of possession. And aside from a Fabio Kaufmann effort from outside the box that was comfortably saved by Sailors goalkeeper Victor Aznar in the seventh minute, the visitors were largely kept at bay.
In the 21st minute, Farhan Zulkifli showed great persistence to chase down the ball and win a corner, from which Matthias Phaëton headed into the arms of opposing goalkeeper Saranon Anuin.
The Singaporean winger caused more problems just three minutes later when he won a free-kick down the right. Having already threatened with his deliveries earlier, midfielder Giovanni Haag whipped another dangerous ball into the box that forced Nikolić to turn it into his own net and hand the Sailors the lead.
BG Pathum then responded five minutes into the second half. Anthony Belmonte intercepted a loose ball on the right and found Chanathip Songkrasin, who slipped Gustavsson through to score the equaliser.
Chanathip nearly turned the game on its head just six minutes later when his curling effort rattled the crossbar.
That warning sparked a response from the Sailors, who began moving the ball with greater urgency in search of a second goal. Giovanni came close in the 75th minute, curling a free-kick inches wide of the top corner.
Five minutes later, BG substitute Raniel Santana was presented with a golden opportunity when the ball fell kindly to him in front of goal, but Victor produced a superb full-stretch fingertip save to keep the scores level.
The Sailors pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but were unable to find the breakthrough. Substitute Shawal Anuar was unable to connect with Diogo Costa’s shot in the 86th minute, before Ilhan Fandi’s stoppage-time header lacked the power to trouble Anuin.
“The intensity has gone up a lot over the last few days with the new coach, but today we were just missing something in the final third, so we will build on that,” said Man of the Match Bart Ramselaar.
“It always takes time for a coach to get his players to play the way he wants, and it starts with putting in the work on the training pitch. I’m confident that we will improve over the coming weeks and have a great season together.”
With another long season ahead featuring a packed schedule of domestic and continental football, Coach Jackson is determined to make full use of the squad at his disposal.
“It’s clear we’ve got some of the top local and foreign players in the team, and it’s my responsibility to utilise the squad. Every player has been fantastic so far,” he said.
“Although I’ll miss the national team players over the next few weeks, my promise to them was that when they come back, I’ll spend time teaching them what they’ve missed, so they can fit straight back into what we want to do as a team, as all of them are very important.”
In the other Group F fixture, Adelaide United cruised to a 3-0 win over Tai Po, with goals from Ethan Alagich, Juan Muñiz and Craig Goodwin putting the Australian side top of the group.
With club football taking a break for the September international window, a busy October awaits the Sailors upon their return to action.
They will play four games in the space of 10 days, beginning with a home clash against Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on the 8th.
The Sailors will then face Young Lions in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on 11 October, before travelling to Hong Kong to take on Tai Po in the ACL Two four days later. An away league clash against FC Jurong on 18 October rounds off the hectic stretch.
Coach Jackson is looking to make the most of the upcoming break to further imprint his ideas on the team.
“With the break, we now have time to work with the players on the training pitch. Whenever we train, we work on all aspects of our game, from how we build up and score to how we press, defend the box and handle set pieces. These phases are all part of our methodology,” he explained.
“Obviously, we’re missing a few players, so we’ll probably utilise the Academy team as well to come in and support our training sessions. We have a plan for how we’re going to develop each element over this period, and we will continue to improve in all aspects.”
The Lion City Sailors are ready to turn the page as they embark on their 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign with a home fixture against Thai League 1 heavyweights BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September) evening.
A new era dawns under Mark Jackson
Thursday will mark Mark Jackson’s official debut on the touchline for the Sailors, with the Englishman’s employment visa approved earlier this week following his appointment as Head Coach of the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions.
Jackson arrives in Singapore with a proven continental pedigree, having guided Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners to victory in the 2023/24 AFC Cup – the final edition of Asia’s second-tier competition before its rebranding to ACL Two.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the 48-year-old, who also spearheaded Thailand’s Buriram United to the ACL Elite quarter-finals last season, expressed his excitement at kicking off this fresh chapter and driving the Sailors to greater heights on the continental stage.
“It’s great for me to finally get on the pitch to work with the players yesterday after I got cleared for my work visa. The energy I felt from the boys was superb – there’s a real intensity and togetherness within this team. I can already see from the first 24 hours that we’ve a galvanised group who wants to work towards success for this club,” said Jackson.
“It’s a quick turnaround for tomorrow’s game so I can’t implement too many new ideas, but I do have good knowledge of BG Pathum. I came up against them in pre-season when I was with Buriram; I know their coach. They’ve a very organised team with very good players and a distinct playing style.
“But I know we have enough quality in this team and I’m confident of a really positive performance and result from us in this game.”
The Sailors face a formidable opening hurdle in BG Pathum, who are one of Thai football’s powerhouse clubs.
The Rabbits secured their ACL Two berth after edging out Bangkok United for fourth place in Thai League 1 last season, and they have bolstered their squad significantly ahead of the new campaign.
Their revamped roster features several high-profile additions, including former Australia U23 international Ryan Edwards, former Ligue 1 midfielder Anthony Belmonte, Bundesliga 2 veteran Fabio Kaufmann, and imposing 1.95m Brazilian striker João Magno, who will enter the clash fresh off a match-winning brace against Rasisalai United over the weekend.
These newcomers complement an established core of Thai international talent, which includes Chanathip Songkrasin, Kritsada Kaman, and club captain Sarach Yooyen, as the visitors aim to banish the memories of last season’s early group-stage exit.
Speaking on behalf of Head Coach Vladimir Vujović, who currently lacks the required AFC coaching accreditation, long-serving team manager Surachai Jaturapattarapong acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sailors.
“Even though their new coach just arrived, the system of their team still remains so we cannot underestimate our opponents,” said Surachai, who previously represented the Sailors’ predecessor, Home United, between 2003 and 2005. “Mark Jackson knows us very well because he managed Buriram last season, but we also know him and his tactics very well.
“We’ve played in this competition for a few seasons now, so we’re aware of the quality at this level. Lion City Sailors are a strong team and we have to make sure we prepare very well to play them.”
Fired-up Sailors gunning for strong start
Far from being deterred by the opposition’s star power, however, the Sailors’ Class of 2026/27 are focused on writing a new chapter after falling short of the knockout rounds last season.
Bolstered by shrewd player acquisitions and a clear tactical vision under Jackson, the Singaporean giants are determined to mount a deep run in a competition where they reached the final just two seasons ago in May 2025.
And Hariss Harun emphasised the squad’s readiness to set the tone early in front of the home crowd.
“We’re playing at home where we know our fans will be there throughout singing and chanting for us for the whole 90 minutes. As long as they’re there, we always know we can do something special on the pitch,” said the Sailors captain.
“Of course we reached the final before, but that’s something in the past now and we have to live in the present – and that’s with a new coach and new ideas here now. Coach Mark has a rough idea of how he wants us to play and we’ll try to execute his game plan on the pitch. It also helps when he has good knowledge of Thai football, which can be an advantage for us.
“We’ve shown in the last couple of seasons that we can compete at this level, but now we’ve to push ourselves a little bit more and aim to go a little bit further in this competition. The priority now is to prepare as best as we can and get off to a winning start.”
Having gone two goals down inside 22 minutes of their Singapore Premier League (SPL) season opener against Hougang United, the Lion City Sailors found themselves with an immediate mountain to climb.
But what followed was a firm display of their character, as new recruits Antonio Mance and Bobby Adekanye both found the net to cap a stirring fightback and rescue a 2-2 draw. In doing so, they preserved the reigning champions’ unbeaten opening-day record.
Central to the Sailors’ comeback was Kyoga Nakamura, as the tireless midfielder threw himself into every duel and pulled the strings as the Sailors clawed their way back to secure the point.
“It was a tough result to take because we set out to win,” Kyoga reflected. “Opening games are always tricky, and the league is very competitive this year.
“We made individual and collective mistakes that led to their goals, and once Hougang went ahead, they sat deep to make space tight. We could have pressed better and managed transitions more cleanly, but we will learn from it and make sure we are sharp for the next challenge.”
The Sailors will now turn their focus to continental glory, as they prepare to kick off their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two campaign against Thai powerhouse BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September).
For Kyoga, the clash carries extra significance.
“I’m really excited for BG Pathum. Having played in Thailand last season, I know how good their squad is,” said the former Bangkok United man. “They have quality foreign signings and top local players, including good friends of mine like Sarach Yooyen and Chanathip Songkrasin. It’s always special to go up against them in midfield, but we have a fantastic team here and we are ready.”
For the Sailors, it is a chance to right past wrongs in the competition. Last season, the team narrowly missed out on the ACL Two Round of 16 on head-to-head record, despite amassing 10 points in the group stage.
Ironically, it was Kyoga’s Bangkok United that edged the Sailors out. Now that he is donning the blue of the Sailors however, the midfielder is determined to drive the club into the knockout rounds.
“Qualifying from the group is the target, so getting off to a winning start at home is massive,” Kyoga stated flatly. “We want all three points to build early momentum. The club won the domestic double last season, but we haven’t taken that next step to claim a regional or continental title like the ACL Two yet. That’s what we are fighting for.”
Navigating the pressure of Asia’s elite is second nature to Kyoga. During his tenure in Thailand, he featured in high-stakes fixtures, including an ACL Elite qualifier away against Chengdu Rongcheng, as well as hostile away trips against Persib Bandung and Selangor FC.
“I’ve played in huge stadiums under immense pressure,” Kyoga shared. “The atmosphere in Bandung, for instance, was intense. But those experiences build resilience. I know what to expect and how to handle it. We just need to stay composed, play our football, and count on our fans to fight alongside us.”
BG Pathum arrive in Singapore with a heavily bolstered squad, which include former Ligue 1 midfielder Anthony Belmonte, clinical forward Ashley Coffey, and 200-match Bundesliga 2 veteran Fabio Kaufmann.
“Continental football brings a different kind of pressure,” Kyoga acknowledged. “BG Pathum are strong, but if we stay tactically disciplined and mentally sharp, we have every capability to secure a massive result.”
Beyond the points at stake, Kyoga views every ACL Two matchday as a chance to fly the flag for his adopted home.
“It’s a privilege to represent Singapore on the Asian stage,” he said proudly. “Whether it’s for club or nation, bringing joy to the fans here means everything to me. Now that I finally have the chance to play for the Sailors in Asia, I want to deliver a performance everyone can be proud of.”
The Lion City Sailors showed resilience to come back from a two-goal deficit and salvage a 2-2 draw against Hougang United in their 2026/27 Singapore Premier League (SPL) opener at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (12 September) night.
New signings Antonio Mance and Bobby Adekanye both opened their goalscoring accounts for the club, as the team displayed the sort of fighting spirit that Interim Head Coach Varo Moreno insists will define the Sailors’ campaign.
“We had plenty of chances to score more than two goals, but in the end, we had to be content with a point,” said Varo. “This is just the first game of the season. There’s still a long way to go, and the big positive for us was that the team never gave up.”
Varo made five changes to the side that lifted the Community Shield with a 2-0 win over Tampines Rovers last weekend, as he handed first starts to Antonio and Jorge Karseladze, but it was another new signing, Matthias Phaëton, who set the early tempo, unleashing the game’s first effort just three minutes in.
However, the heavily revamped Cheetahs, which featured nine debutants, gradually found their footing and broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ayman Kassimi cut inside to fire a low effort past Ivan Sušak.
Five minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead when former Sailor Zulqarnaen Suzliman embarked on a brilliant solo run before setting up Oakley Cannonier to make it 2-0.
“The difference was those opening 25 minutes,” Varo reflected. “I know many people expect us to win every match, but other SPL teams have strengthened significantly. The league is getting better, which is great for Singapore football.”
The reigning champions responded immediately, and Matthias thought he had halved the deficit in the 26th minute after finishing off a sublime outside-of-the-boot pass from Song Uiyoung, but VAR ruled the goal out with Diogo Costa adjudged to have made a foul in the build-up.
Nonetheless, the Sailors kept pressing, and the breakthrough finally arrived six minutes before the break. Diogo did brilliant work down the flank before crossing to Antonio, who showed wonderful composure to control the ball on his chest before tucking it home to make it 2-1.
The Sailors dominated the remainder of the half, with Bart Ramselaar and Ilhan Fandi both coming close in stoppage time, only to be denied by Hougang custodian Takahiro Koga.
Varo then injected fresh legs in the second half, introducing Bobby, Ryhan Stewart, Giovanni Haag, and Captain Hariss Harun in a bid for the equaliser, and the positive changes eventually made the difference in the 86th minute.
Matthias threaded a precise pass into the box for Bobby, and the former Liverpool youth winger made no mistake with a deft finish over the advancing Koga to restore parity.
Ivan then produced a spectacular flying save in added time to push Kassimi’s curling effort around the post and ensure the Sailors secured a point in their first SPL game of the new season.
“I’m happy to get my first goal, but as a team, we want to win every game,” said Bobby, who arrived in Singapore with top-flight experience in Serie A and the Eredivisie. “We have high standards here, but it’s early in the season and we’ll refine our play.”
Off the pitch, the 27-year-old Dutch forward revealed that he is settling in seamlessly to life in the Lion City. “This is my first time in Asia, and both my wife and I are loving every second of it. I hope to be here for a long time.”
While not getting the win was disappointing, there is little time for the Sailors to dwell on the result, as they now turn their focus to continental action. The team will host Thailand’s BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium in their AFC Champions League (ACL) Two Group F opener on Thursday (17 September).
BG Pathum will come into the clash with a similar season record as the Sailors (one win, one draw) after opening their Thai League 1 campaign with a goalless draw against newly promoted Pattani FC, followed by a 3-2 victory against fellow newcomers Rasisalai United on Saturday.
Raniel Santana’s early brace had given the Rabbits a 2-0 lead, only to be pegged back in the first half itself before João Magno struck an 88th-minute winner and the Sailors will be well aware of the threat posed by Thai clubs.
“We have to analyse what happened in this match (vs Hougang), but our preparations for the next match are already underway,” revealed Varo. “Our team is used to playing every three or four days, as all our focus will now shift towards a very important AFC Champions League (ACL) Two match in midweek.”
Back in November 2022, Farhan Zulkifli etched his name into Hougang United history by helping the Cheetahs defeat Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final to secure the club’s first-ever trophy.
Almost four years later, Farhan was once again on the winning side against the Stags. This time, however, the winger was making his Lion City Sailors debut and playing a crucial role in his new team’s Community Shield triumph.
Two goals from Ilhan Fandi made the difference, but the 23-year-old was also among the Sailors’ standout performers, proving a constant threat down the right flank with his energy and direct running.
“I’m very thankful and blessed to be part of this Sailors team. Being able to contribute an assist and help the team win the Shield on my debut was a special feeling, and hopefully it will be the first of many,” said Farhan.
“To start such an important game for a big club gives me belief and confidence. I just have to keep taking my chances as they come and prove my worth.”
Farhan’s best moment of the game came in the 26th minute, when he made a well-timed curved run to meet Bart Ramselaar’s return pass before squaring the ball for Ilhan to score his second.
“Bart and I have a very good relationship on the pitch,” said the fleet-footed winger. “All I did was give him the ball and run into space, and his pass put me in a good position to square it for Ilhan.
“We had spoken about it in training. If he gets the ball, I’ll make that run and trust that he’ll find me.”
Farhan was one of 11 players who made their Sailors debuts that night, with fellow new signings such as Matthias Phaëton, Giovanni Haag, Hugo Gomes and Ryhan Stewart also making their first appearances for the club.
“All the new additions are quality, professional players, so it’s easy to play alongside them. I think we performed very well as a team, and you could see on the pitch that we are already well connected,” said Farhan. “We just want to keep improving and win every game.”
The team’s two-week pre-season training camp in Spain gave the players valuable time to bond both on and off the pitch.
“Although the national team players joined us only later in the camp, it was still a very good experience,” said Farhan. “We were able to build strong connections, which will certainly help us understand one another better and be on the same page on the pitch.”
The Sailors have also remained united amid a period of transition in the coaching department, with the close-knit bonds within the squad helping to maintain a positive atmosphere.
The club moved swiftly to appoint Mark Jackson, a serial winner who guided both A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners and Thai powerhouse Buriram United to treble-winning campaigns, as the new Head Coach earlier on Wednesday (9 September).
“Even with everything that has happened at the club, we have remained very positive. In fact, I think these situations have brought us even closer and made us stronger as a group,” said Farhan.
“I know Coach Jackson was with Buriram United and enjoyed great success there in both domestic and Asian competitions. I’m really looking forward to working with him, and I just have to give my best in every training session and match.”
Having made the leap to join the reigning champions in July, Farhan is relishing the opportunity to begin a new chapter in his career. With plenty of quality within the Sailors’ ranks, he sees the move as a chance to challenge himself and continue developing as a player.
“I was with Hougang for six years, so taking the next step was never going to be easy. However, I felt it was time for me to make a move to improve my game further, and this was the step I wanted to take,” he said.
(Photo: Singapore Premier League)
“The environment at the Sailors, as well as the quality of the players I’m training and playing with, will be very important for my development. Hopefully, this move can help me become a better player.”
Fittingly, the Sailors’ opening game of the 2026/27 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season will see Farhan face his former club Hougang at Bishan Stadium on Saturday, 12 September.
The Cheetahs have also significantly revamped their squad, bringing in the likes of forwards Oakley Cannonier and Connor Flynn-Gillespie, defender Miloš Drinčić and goalkeeper Takahiro Koga, as well as former Sailor Zulqarnaen Suzliman and Sailors loanee Khairin Nadim.
“I’m excited to see some familiar faces, but once we step onto the pitch, I’ll put all ties aside,” said Farhan, who ironically scored against the Sailors on last season’s opening day. “It’s important for us to start the league strongly because that will give us confidence going into the rest of the season. Our full focus is on our performance, and we will give everything to get the three points.”
Having experienced the fervour surrounding the Singapore National Team’s recent ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign, Farhan is keen for the Sailors to forge a similarly strong connection with their supporters as they embark on their title defence.
“We’ve all seen the incredible atmosphere the fans can create when they turn up in numbers. We hope the Sailors fans can bring that same support and energy to our league games and push us on throughout the season.”
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Jackson as our new Head Coach, subject to employment visa approval.
The 48-year-old Englishman has signed a deal until 30 June 2027 and arrives with an outstanding record in Asian football, having led both Australia’s Central Coast Mariners and Thailand’s Buriram United to historic trebles.
His proven ability to deliver success both domestically and on the continental stage aligns with the Sailors’ ambitions to improve our standing in Asia and challenge for honours in competitions such as the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be joining this fantastic football club. I’m looking forward to getting started, meeting the players, staff and supporters, and becoming part of the club’s journey,” said Jackson.
“The ambition and vision of the club were major factors in my decision to join, and I’d like to sincerely thank the owner, board and Director of Football for the trust and confidence they have shown in me to lead the team.
“There is a huge amount to look forward to, with an exciting season ahead. We’ll work together, push the standards every day and give everything to achieve our ambitions.”
Jackson will be joined at the Sailors by Assistant Coach Cameron Toshack, who will also commence his duties subject to employment visa approval.
Jackson enjoyed a remarkable 2023/24 campaign with Central Coast, leading the Mariners to the A-League Men Premiership and Championship double, as well as the AFC Cup title. It was the final edition of Asia’s second-tier club competition before it was replaced by the AFC Champions League Two.
He joined Buriram last October and delivered another treble in the 2025/26 season, winning the Thai League 1, Thai FA Cup and Shopee Cup. The Thunder Castle defeated Malaysia’s Selangor FC over two legs in the Shopee Cup final in May, while Jackson also led the club to the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals.
Sailors Executive Director Bruce Liang believes Jackson’s track record and extensive experience in Asian football make him well suited to lead the club forward.
“Following last week’s change in the First Team’s coaching leadership, we moved swiftly and carefully to identify the right coach for the Sailors,” said Liang.
“Mark’s proven record of success in Australia and Thailand, together with his experience of competing at the highest levels of Asian club football, made him an excellent fit for our ambitions. We are delighted to welcome him to the club.
“We are also grateful to Varo Moreno and the coaching staff for stepping up at short notice and ensuring continuity for the First Team during this transition.”
Jackson will officially assume his duties as Sailors Head Coach upon receiving his employment visa, with Varo Moreno remaining in interim charge of the First Team until then.
Just 112 days after lifting the Singapore Premier League (SPL) trophy at Our Tampines Hub to complete a second consecutive domestic double, the Lion City Sailors are ready to go again in their quest for silverware.
And their first trophy of the new season could arrive as early as this Sunday (6 September), when they kick off their 2026/27 campaign with an enticing Community Shield clash against familiar rivals Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Bolstered by 11 new signings and the return of Academy graduate Nur Muhammad Asis, the Sailors are raring to lay down an early marker ahead of a demanding campaign across four competitions.
“With a new season, the ambitions and expectations at this football club remain as high as ever, if not higher. To match those ambitions, we’ve got an even stronger squad than we’ve probably had in previous seasons,” acknowledged vice-captain Bailey Wright.
(New signings Antonio Mance and Giovanni Haag)
“We’ve added some real quality, including local players whom we already know well and a good group of foreign players from different countries. The varied experiences they bring really strengthen us as a group.
“After a positive few weeks of pre-season and getting to know everyone, I have to say this is a great group of human beings. It already feels like we know one another quite well. All the new guys have enjoyed coming into this environment and felt comfortable being themselves.
“Everyone settled in pretty quickly, and that’s probably down to the good culture we have here. It’s now about performing on the football pitch, and we’re excited to see what possibilities lie ahead.”
The Sailors spent two weeks in Spain during the off-season, where they underwent an intensive training programme and played three friendly matches against high-quality opposition.
Beyond building fitness and sharpness, the trip also helped strengthen the bonds within the new-look squad.
“The benefit of going away for pre-season is that you’re all in one place without any distractions,” explained Bailey. “You have a lot of meals and coffees together, share plenty of laughs and, of course, go through some gruelling sessions on the football pitch.
“I also got to know a few people’s golf swings. Some were good, some weren’t so good, while others picked it up really quickly. Little things like that were a laugh and gave us a sense of the human being behind each footballer.
“Everyone connected really well. Spain is an amazing country, with good food and a nice change in weather and atmosphere. The matches also gave us a taste of the tiki-taka style of Spanish football.
(Bailey with new signing Bobby Adekanye)
“There were plenty of positives to take, and ultimately, pre-season is about making sure we’re ready for the next 10 months.”
Every season brings its own challenges, and the Sailors underwent a coaching change earlier this week after parting ways with Jesús Casas.
Assistant Coach Varo Moreno has since stepped in to take interim charge of the first team until further notice. While the timing has presented the squad with an early test, Bailey believes the situation has only brought the Sailors closer together.
“Situations like this can show you the strength of the group, and I think we’ve emerged from it even stronger. From the staff to the players, we feel really united,” he shared.
“We all want what’s best for this football club and for one another. Ultimately, we want to enjoy what we do, win football matches and embrace the journey together as a team.”
Bailey has experienced contrasting fortunes in the past two Community Shields. He played the full 90 minutes as the Sailors defeated Albirex Niigata (S) to lift the trophy in 2024, before missing last year’s heavy defeat by Tampines through injury.
But the Australian, who has made 94 appearances for the club since arriving in July 2023, is determined to help the Sailors reclaim the Shield on Sunday.
“It’s a unique situation when your first match of the season gives you the chance to win a trophy,” he said. “We know the expectations on us as individuals and as a group are to lift trophies and finish the season with as many of them as possible.
“There’s no doubt Tampines are a good team with good players. We’ve had some good battles with them over the years, and I’m sure this will be another exciting game of football. But we know what we have to do to get the win.”
With anticipation building ahead of the season opener, Bailey is eager for the Sailors to bring more joy to their faithful in the campaign ahead.
“It’s a new season, a fresh start and an exciting time to be part of this football club, with such a strong group of players and big ambitions. So come down, get behind us and be at your loudest,” he urged.
“You’ll see a team that is 100 per cent committed to giving everything for this football club and for one another. We know how much this game means to the fans, and we’ll give our all to bring the Shield back to the club.”
