Thailand changes coach after four-team tournament in China
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) believes that interim coach Sirisak Yodyardthai does not have enough qualifications to lead the national team long-term.
"Sirisak and his assistant Choketawee Promrut have done a great job taking over the team in the middle of the Asian Cup," FAT President Somyot told the Bangkok Post on March 23. "I appreciate their contributions, but the rules are the rules. We have to follow the rules."
Mr. Sirisak does not have an AFC Pro coaching license, so he is not qualified to be the official coach of the Thai national team. He will no longer be the head coach after the China Cup, a four-nation friendly tournament in which Thailand will face Uruguay in the final, ends.
 |
| Mr. Sirisak (in black jacket) and assistant Choketawee practice with Thai players at the China Cup. Photo: Bangkok Post |
"We approached a few candidates, but they all withdrew for various reasons," added Somyot. "We will work hard to find the right person for the team."
AFC Pro is the highest qualification awarded by the Asian Football Confederation, equivalent to the UEFA Pro qualification of the European Football Confederation. A coach needs to complete three certificate courses A, B, C before continuing with AFC Pro for two years, with modules taking place in many different countries. In 2018, Vietnam witnessed the first five coaches with AFC Pro qualifications, namely Phan Thanh Hung, Le Huynh Duc, Nguyen Huu Thang, Nguyen Duc Thang and Nguyen Minh Phuong.
Many Thai players expressed regret when Coach Sirisak had to leave the team after the China Cup. The 49-year-old coach took over the team from his predecessor Milovan Rajevac after Thailand lost 1-4 to India in the opening match of the Asian Cup. Mr. Sirisak then led the team through the group stage and only stopped by China in the first knockout round. Thailand then paid the debt, defeating China 1-0 right on their opponent's field in the China Cup.
 |
| Sirisak (right) and assistant Choketawee together helped Thailand pass the group stage of the 2019 Asian Cup earlier this year. Photo: FAT |
The 2019 China Cup is a friendly tournament held in Nanning, China. The tournament brings together four teams, including China, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Uruguay. Thailand will face Uruguay in the final on March 25.
