Opinion | Jermaine Pennant exits Singapore with a whimper after failing to sparkle in S.League

What began with the biggest media frenzy in S.League history last January ended with barely a whimper on Monday night when ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant quietly flew home to the UK.

After promising so much, Pennant’s nine-and-a-half month stay in Singapore ultimately failed to deliver, despite a reported salary of S$20,000 per month.

His club, Tampines Rovers, were unable to win any silverware, even with a squad packed with 13 Singapore internationals, and some of the league’s best import players. They were outplayed and outclassed all season by a team of Japanese no-names – Albirex Niigata (S) are a developmental side – who scooped all four trophies on offer.

The ultimate insult came at Jalan Besar Stadium last Saturday when Pennant was left out of the starting lineup by coach Akbar Nawas as S.League runners up Tampines lost 2-0 to Albirex in the 2016 Singapore Cup final. He was only introduced to the game in the 68th minute, with his side trailing 1-0 at Jalan Besar Stadium.

When questioned about why he benched his highest-paid player in his farewell match that was also a major final, Akbar declared that he would make the same decision again 1,000 times over.

“He had his chance in the last 30 minutes to turn the game around,” Akbar added. “You decide if he did that.”