Just two months after declaring that the Sailors are “the project” for him, Head Coach Jesús Casas now stands on the brink of history.
After all, the Sailors need only a draw with BG Tampines Rovers this Sunday (3 May) to retain their Singapore Premier League (SPL) title for the first time.
Jesús’s men head into the pivotal clash eight points clear at the top of the table after an accomplished 3-0 win over Geylang International, coupled with BG Tampines’ defeat to Albirex Niigata (S) on Thursday (30 April).
Reflecting on the Sailors’ victory over Geylang, Jesús said, “When you win a match, everything seems perfect, but there is still room for us to improve in all aspects. The team’s confidence is growing, but it would be a big mistake to become complacent now. Our focus is on the big match this week, and we will prepare well for it.”
It is this winning mentality that has served Jesús well throughout his illustrious career — one that has seen him work at top-level institutions such as FC Barcelona and the Spain national team before arriving in Singapore.
“I am very competitive and always want to win every title possible. Our goal at the Sailors is not just to win the league, but also to succeed on the continental stage and help develop football in Singapore,” he said.
Jesús’s journey with the Sailors began with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Albirex in his first game back on 28 February, when his side recovered from a two-goal deficit inside the opening 15 minutes.
Since then, cohesion has steadily improved, with Jesús unafraid to rotate his squad and foster healthy competition across the team.
“We want every player to feel important because we need all of them throughout the season. Whether they start or come off the bench, each of them plays a crucial role in pushing the team forward,” he explained.
Indeed, this has led players such as Chris van Huizen and Nur Adam Abdullah to flourish, while the team has struck a balance between attacking fluency and defensive solidity, keeping five clean sheets in their last six matches.
“There are many talented players in this team, such as Bart (Ramselaar), Hami (Syahin), and Kyoga (Nakamura). Our job is to bring out the best in them, and we are working on different patterns and movements, especially when we have the ball.”
This Sunday, however, the Sailors will have to navigate their way past a BG Tampines side that has put up a creditable title fight in 2025/26. The Stags have lost just twice in 18 matches this season, with both coming against Albirex in April.
“Tampines have had an excellent season domestically and in Asia. It will be difficult, but ultimately it is just another match, and we will approach it as we always do,” said Jesús.
“The team is calm and focused on playing our football, and we are ready to give everything to win the title.”
Beyond the immediate target of domestic success, Jesús has his sights set on stronger performances in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup and the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, after the Sailors exited both competitions at the group stage this season.
“I had the privilege of being part of a team that competed in the Champions League in Europe, and I want to use that experience to help us take on this challenge,” he said. “Expectations are high, but that is normal. Pressure pushes us to improve. Without it, it is difficult to keep moving forward.”
Off the pitch, Jesús has embraced life in Singapore, and is particularly enjoying its accessibility, which allows him to indulge in one of his favourite pastimes, cycling.
Having also built a strong connection with fans during his time in Iraq, he hopes to replicate that same bond here.
“I watched the Singapore national team at the National Stadium in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, and the atmosphere was amazing. It’s clear there is a lot of passion in the sport here.
“I want to build that connection with fans here, especially fans of the Sailors, and I hope more people will come down to watch SPL matches. We’re working towards a big project to compete on the Asian stage, and I am confident we can win titles both locally and internationally.”
