When Jesús Casas speaks about Lion City Sailors, his calm exterior gives way to a clear sense of purpose, and each word is delivered with unmistakable conviction.
“I left Iraq for almost 10 months and there were some offers, including the Honduras national team,” he revealed in his first interview with the club. “But I was waiting for the right moment, and this is it. This is the project.”
For Jesús, the decision was about more than just the role.
“It’s a very attractive project for me and my staff, for my family. The Training Centre is amazing, with all the facilities required. The staff is very professional and I’m very excited to be here.
“I want to help this project, to improve the players and the club.”
A move nearly four years in the making
Few may know that discussions between Jesús and the Sailors first took place in late 2022, when the head coach position was vacant. On that occasion, the Spaniard opted instead to take charge of the Iraq national team.
What followed was a memorable two-and-a-half-year spell with the Lions of Mesopotamia, where he led them to their first Gulf Cup triumph in 35 years and oversaw an impressive 2023 AFC Asian Cup campaign, which was highlighted by a famous 2-1 group-stage victory over Japan.
And although his contract with Iraq was terminated in April 2025, his impact on the team has endured. Indeed, the outpouring of messages from Iraqi fans on the Sailors’ Instagram page following his appointment spoke volumes about the bond forged during his tenure.
#graciasitaq #thanksiraq #شكرا للعراق pic.twitter.com/pKekRu7LQw
— Jesús Casas (@jcasas4444) April 15, 2025
“It was a great experience because we really connected with the people there,” he said. “We were the first foreign staff to live in Iraq all the time. The Iraqi people are like Andalusian people from Spain, very warm and welcoming. The connection was amazing.
“I love Iraq and I wanted the best for them, and I think the fans felt the same way.”
Despite his premature departure from the Iraq national team, Jesús leaves with pride in what was achieved. After all, they remain just one match away from qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 1986, with an inter-confederation play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname in late March.
“We won nine matches, had three draws and two losses in the qualifiers, so we’re part of this journey,” he said. “I hope they win the play-off. I’ll be very happy if they reach the World Cup.”
Inspired by the very best
Jesús’ football education was shaped at the highest level under one of the brightest minds in modern football: Luis Enrique. Over eight years, he worked alongside the current Paris Saint-Germain manager — first as a match analyst at FC Barcelona (2014–2017), then as assistant coach with the Spain national team (2018–2022).
“He’s undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the world,” Jesús shared. “I learnt so many things from him, both from a tactical and personal standpoint. Many things I implement now come from that experience.”
As such, Jesús is clear about his football philosophy.
“My philosophy is to win and enjoy playing with the ball. I want my team not just to keep possession, but to use the ball to score goals. If you have the ball, it’s easier to win. If the opponent has the ball, it’s not good for you.
“My football is about time and space. The more time we have the ball, the better it is for us.”
Nonetheless, he is equally pragmatic, and admits he is open to adapt and change should the need arise.
“I have a philosophy, but that doesn’t mean I cannot change. Football is about evolution. We have to adapt day by day and find the best way to win with the players we have and their individual qualities. But I trust our players here. They are all of a good level.”
Building success for the Sailors and Singapore
Having made a tangible impact in Iraq, Jesús now hopes to leave a similar mark in Singapore.
“When we were in Iraq, our target was not just to win, but also to develop football in the country. Here, we also want to contribute to football in Singapore, and help the national team by developing better players.”
With a contract running until June 2028, the long-term ambition is clear: build a squad and playing identity capable of dominating domestically while competing strongly in Asia.
But first, there is immediate business to attend to.
“Success is winning, it’s that simple,” he said, referencing Diego Simeone’s famed mentality. “Now we focus on the league. We have 10 matches until the end of the season. After that, we prepare for next season and compete for the league, AFC Champions League Two and the Shopee Cup. Step by step.”
And his message to the Sailors faithful?
“All I can say is we will give 100 percent effort in every match. There will be moments when things are not perfect and we will need your support.
“But we will try to make sure we enjoy this journey together.”
