Thai League 2024-25 is about to kick off next month. The matter of reinforcing the team continues until the market closes. However, the head coach position will definitely not be adjusted because the competition is about to start. This season, out of 16 clubs, there are 7 foreign coaches and 9 trainers from Siam. So, 'SIAMSPORT' would like to introduce some brief information about their great commander for everyone to know!!
[ 1 ] Thawatchai Sripan ( Bangkok United )
Nationality: Thai
Age: 52
Previous club: Suphanburi FC (2018-2019)
Honors:
Saraburi FC - Regional League Division 2 Eastern Zone Champion (2010)
Police Friends United - Division 1 Champions (2015)
Muangthong United - Thai League champions (2016), League Cup champions (2016, 2017), Mekong Cup champions (2017)
Bangkok United - FA Cup 2023-24 Champions
Bangkok still has full confidence in Thachatwan Sripan, even though the results were quite disappointing with the stumbling in the second half of the 2023-24 season, causing Buriram United to score points and completely lose the chance to win the championship even though the season has not ended.
However, in terms of team management skills, 'Coach Ban' is considered one of the most respected Thai coaches, especially in terms of tactics, which are quite clear that if they get skilled players to join the team at the right points, it is guaranteed that BU will be ready to compete for every cup in Siam.
[ 2 ] Makoto Teguramori (BG Pathum United)
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 56
Previous club: Chonburi FC (2023)
Honors:
Vegalta Sendai (Japan) - J.League 2 Champions (2009)
Japan National Team (U-23) - Asian Cup Champions (2016)
BG Pathum United - League Cup Champion (2023-24)
Makoto Teguramori's second term as BG Pathum manager may not have the same average score as the first time (first time 2.04 points, second time 1.95 points), but at least the League Cup trophy that narrowly defeated Muangthong United should be enough to make the hearts of the Rabbit fans feel a little more refreshed.
The 2024-25 season, his mission is short and simple: 'Champion' in every competition he competes for, which is a very stressful job. However, with the players and the club's readiness, which has an extremely professional internal management system, it is believed that if the Japanese coach has a full plan, he should be able to bring The Blue Machine back to the throne easily.
[ 3 ] Osmar Loss (Buriram United)
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 49
Previous club: Persepolis (Iran 2023-2024)
Honors:
Persepolis - Iran Premier League 2023-24 Champions
Buriram is a club that never stops achieving success. Despite winning many championships, changing their head coach is always possible. This time, it is Osmar Loss, a young Brazilian trainer who will continue the mission at Chang Arena.
The 49-year-old has a wealth of experience coaching teams in his homeland, including Juventude, Bragantino, Corinthians, Guarani, Victoria and Chianorte, before taking his shot at the title with Persepolis, who rose to the top of the Iranian league in the 2023-24 season.
[ 4 ] Xavi Moro (Chiang Rai United)
Nationality: Spanish
Age: 49
Previous club: Ratchaburi FC (2022-2023)
Honors:
Chiang Rai changed their coach to use Xavi Moro, a Spanish coach who has experience in Thailand with BG Pathum United and Ratchaburi FC. He has quite a memorable performance, especially when he was in charge of the Dragon King Army, which is considered to have a game plan that opponents fear.
However, with almost half of the main players of Kwangsong Mahapai missing, it will be interesting to see how well this head coach can help patch up the remaining players, as this is truly a risky season for the former 2019 Thai League champions.
[ 5 ] Thana Chanabut (Khon Kaen United)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 40
Previous club: Samut Prakan City (2023)
Honors:
He is still trusted to continue with Khon Kaen in the 2024-25 season after taking on the job of head coach of the Proud Cobras at the end of last season. However, the Thai League, which is about to kick off in August, will be a heavy burden for the former speedy winger because if his performance does not meet his targets, there is a high chance that he will be the first to be eliminated.
[ 6 ] Alexandre Gama
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 56
Previous club: Daegu FC (South Korea, 2022)
Honors:
Buriram United - Thai League champions (2014, 2015), FA Cup champions (2015), League Cup champions (2015), Mekong Cup champions (2015)
Chiang Rai United - FA Cup Champion (2017, 2018), League Cup Champion (2018)
This is the most successful foreign coach in Thailand, laying the foundation for Buriram and Chiang Rai to become fierce tigers in the world of fighting, with a style of play that is hard to beat and can determine the outcome of the match with just a few moves.
Lamphun's resources may be difficult to reach the league championship, but in the cup, Gama is guaranteed to be able to easily bring trophies to the club, as long as the tactics he has set up are effective.
[ 7 ] Gino Lettieri (Muangthong United)
Nationality: Italian
Age: 57
Previous club: Panevesis (Lithuania, 2022-2024)
Honors:
Panevezis - Lithuanian League Champions (2023)
Muang Thong has dominated all sports media outlets over the past week with their moves in the transfer market, especially the appointment of Gino Lettieri to replace Milos Jokic, whose contract has expired. The profile of the Italian coach clearly indicates a bright future at the Thunderdome.
The 57-year-old coach recently led Panevesis to win the 2023 Lithuanian league title, and his 27 years of experience working in each club is quite good. Although there aren't many trophies, it guarantees the team's development. He also likes giving opportunities to young stars, which is a perfect fit for the Kirins, who already have a strong youth structure.
[ 8 ] Akbar Nawaz (Nakhon Pathom United)
Nationality: Singaporean
Age: 48
Previous club: Udon Thani FC (2022-2023)
Honors:
Chennai City - I-League (Indian Division 2) Champions 2018-19
Newcomers to the Thai League last season and before the season started, they were seen as the 'favorite' to return to the second league. But thanks to Akbar Nawaz, Nakhon Pathom was able to stand strong among the tigers, lions, bulls and rhinos.
However, what is interesting is the 'second year' in the top league because there have been many examples of teams that have just been promoted and performed well in the first season, often performing poorly in the following season. If the Tigers can overcome this obstacle, it is certain that they will be linked for a long time.
[ 9 ] Thirasak Pho-on (Nakhon Ratchasima FC)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 46
Previous club: Prachuap FC (2023)
Honors:
PTT Rayong FC - Thai League 2 Champion (2018)
Nakhon Ratchasima FC - Thai League 2 Champion (2023-24)
Another young but skilled coach of Siam, guaranteed by the Thai League 2 championship trophies with PTT Rayong and Nakhon Ratchasima, which he just recently won.
Thirasak knows every nook and cranny of the Cats very well, so having him as head coach will certainly give us peace of mind that the 2024-25 season will definitely not have to struggle to avoid relegation.
[ 10 ] Sukrit Yothi (Nong Bua Pitchaya FC)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 41
Previous club: Lampang FC (2023)
Honors:
The homegrown head coach of Nongbua Pitchaya who played an important role in leading the Phaya Kaichon team to promotion back to the Thai League in just one season. Of course, their first priority is to survive safely. Therefore, they must give their all in every game they play in order to at least get some points.
[ 11 ] Rangsan Wiwatchaichok
Nationality: Thai
Age: 45
Previous club: Police Tero FC (2018-2023)
Honors:
The work of directing Police Tero to survive comfortably for several seasons made Rangsan Homhuan's name popular until he ended up at PAT Stadium, where he played an important role in sending Port Authority to the top 3 of the table.
However, the goal of Singha Chao Tha is the trophy. If in the 2024-25 season they still do not have a trophy, it is certain that there will be another change.
[ 12 ] Somsamai Phobprasit (Prachuap FC)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 56
Previous club: Chonburi FC (2019-2023)
Honors:
Port FC - FA Cup Champion (2009), League Cup Champion (2010)
The decision to appoint Sasom in the second half of the 2023-24 season is something that the Prachuap board of directors has done decisively. If it weren't for this outspoken coach, the Tor Phak Det might have to start over in Thai League 2.
So with the 56-year-old former midfielder still at the helm and with a number of impressive additions to the squad, it's safe to say that the 2024-25 season will bring smiles to the faces of fans at Sam Ao Stadium every week.
[ 13 ] Suraphong Kongthep
Nationality: Thai
Age: 45
Previous club: Port FC (2023)
Honors:
Ratchaburi is another club that has changed coaches, this time turning to Surapong Kongthep, a head coach who is not very young but has a lot of experience in managing teams, having previously managed Pattaya United (currently Samut Prakan City), BEC Tero Sasana (currently Police Tero FC), Chiang Mai FC, Sukhothai FC, Chiang Mai United and Port FC.
From the past profile, there may be good and bad alternating, but the matter of making the team difficult to lose is something that we will definitely see from this 45-year-old trainer. But in the end, where will he take the Dragon King to finish? Only the results on the field will answer all questions.
[ 14 ] Carlos Eduardo
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 43
Previous club: Club Sociedade Esportiva (Brazil, 2024)
Honors:
It's a pity that Phipop On-Mo, the coach who brought Rayong back to the top flight, decided to go and save Chonburi FC. Otherwise, we might have seen exciting play in the style of a coach who used to be a center forward.
However, the replacement, Carlos Eduardo, is considered to be quite good, as he knows Thai football quite well, having managed Chiang Mai FC, Chiang Mai United and Khon Kaen United. But whether the Blue Dragons will survive or not, the answer lies entirely with themselves.
[ 15 ] Akthaphon Chalitaphon (Sukhothai FC)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 41
Previous club: Rajpracha FC (2022-2024)
Honors:
Akthaphon's return to coaching is very interesting because his previous performances were not very good, both with Thai-Honda FC (2017), Songkhla FC (2019) and Nakhon Si United (2021). We will have to see if he can lead Sukhothai to shine in the Thai League. If he succeeds, I guarantee that it will help the UEFA Pro-License head coach go far in leaps and bounds.
[ 16 ] Jakkapan Panpi (Uthai Thani FC)
Nationality: Thai
Age: 45
Previous club: Samut Prakan City (2022-2023)
Honors:
Despite having just been promoted to the top league for the first time in the club's history, they ended up in 7th place in the 2023-24 season. This is a brilliant performance for Uthai Thani and Jakkapan, who may not have been in charge of the team for long, but must give them a lot of credit, especially for leading the Huai Kha Khaeng Wild Elephants to 3 consecutive victories, guaranteeing their survival.
But will he be able to maintain his standards in the upcoming season, coupled with his impressive rookie record in his first year? It will be interesting to see.