The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the appointment of Jesús Casas as our new Head Coach.
The 52-year-old Spaniard has signed a deal to lead the Sailors through to the 2027/28 season, reflecting the club’s continued ambition to build on its domestic success and improve its performances on the continental stage next season.
Casas joins the Sailors after operating at the highest level of the international game in Asia, having served as Head Coach of the Iraq national team from November 2022 to April 2025. During his tenure with the Lions of Mesopotamia, he guided them to several creditable performances, most notably at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar where Iraq recorded a memorable 2-1 victory over tournament favourites Japan.
That win ensured Iraq topped their group for the first time since their victorious 2007 campaign, although they narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals.
Casas also led Iraq to glory in the 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup, securing their first title in the competition in 25 years.
Prior to his appointment with Iraq, Casas held the role of assistant coach at English Premier League side Watford in 2018. He then joined the Spain national team as assistant coach, a role he held until 2022. During that period, he worked alongside current Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique and with several world-class players including Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets and Rodri.
Bringing with him extensive international experience, strong tactical acumen and a progressive, possession-based attacking philosophy, Casas’ appointment underlines the Sailors’ commitment to elevating standards within Singapore football. He will be tasked with building on the club’s domestic achievements and leading the Sailors to greater success on the continental stage.
Casas will take charge of his first training session as Sailors Head Coach later this week, and will be on the touchline when the Sailors take on Albirex Niigata (S) in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (28 February).
