Silverfox Hustle SPL Preview - Lion City Sailors FC

Send us Fan MailFresh off a historic treble-winning campaign, Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic joins us for the SPL Preview.Reflecting on last season's remarkable success, Rankovic surprisingly describes their SPL title, Singapore Cup triumph, and ACL2 final appearance as "unexpected" - a refreshing dose of humility from the leader of the league's wealthiest club. "Knowing as a coach, and definitely as a former player, that's never easy," he explains, especially following Albirex Niigata's period of domestic dominance.The Serbian tactician offers fascinating insights into his transfer strategy, emphasizing character alongside quality when building his squad. New signings Anderson (former J-League top scorer), midfielder Tsiy Ndenge, and 2.03m goalkeeper Ivan Susak have all been brought in to raise standards, while returning Singapore international Safuwan adds vital experience after 12-13 years abroad. Rankovic particularly praises Hariss Harun as "one of the best players in Singapore" for his versatility and tactical intelligence.Squad depth remains a pressing concern as the Sailors prepare to navigate a congested fixture list across multiple competitions. "We have to watch from game to game," Rankovic admits, explaining the challenges of managing his roster with foreign player limitations. His brutally honest take on player management might surprise some: "It's not my job to make them happy. The player is only happy when he plays, so he has to show every time that he wants to play."Looking ahead to their ACL2 campaign, Rankovic views their group as evenly matched without a clear favorite - a different challenge from last season's continental run. His targets remain ambitious: defend the SPL title, challenge for cups, and advance from continental group stages.The recent Community Shield defeat provided an early reality check, but Rankovic was encouraged by the packed stadium: "This is the first time since I'm here that I saw full stands for a local game - that means something good is happening." Join us for this revealing conversation with one of Singapore football's most successful coaches as he prepares to write the next chapter in Lion City Sailors' story.