In a rather early peculiar plot twist right at the start of the 2025/2026 Singapore Premier League season, there is already a coaching casualty.
On 9-11, BG Tampines Rovers announced that it has parted ways with head coach Akbar Nawas by means of a mutual agreement.
“We thank Akbar Nawas for his efforts in preparing the team through the pre-season and for delivering the club’s first piece of silverware since 2020 – the 2025/2026 Community Shield,” the club said in a statement.
It is not known what are the reasons behind the sudden divorce.
Akbar was appointed in June 2025 and began to prepare the team from July onwards.
He has indicated that he was on a two-year contract with the club, and was a replacement for outgoing coach Gavin Lee who left the club to join the Football Association of Singapore.
TMSG understands that Akbar received compensation for the separation with neither party sharing the details of the package.
Akbar’s farewell at BG Tampines Rovers comes at a time when he has won two and drawn one match in his first three games in charge, including lifting the Community Shield after a win over the Lion City Sailors on 16 August.
It was the club’s first piece of silverware since 2020.
Due to the agreement signed off with the club, Akbar was not allowed to make any additional comments about the sudden departure.
It will also be interesting to see how the club’s ardent fans react to Akbar’s departure.
Tampines’ next opponents in the SPL are Tanjong Pagar United.