Somyot denies Sabella take over rumours
Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmuang has categorically denied rumours of him courting former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella to become the new national team coach.
The speculation linking the veteran Argentine, who led his country to the runners-up finish at the 2014 World Cup, with a shock move to manage a Thai side languishing in the 129th spot in the world rankings came just days after current coach Kiatisak Senamuang guided the Kingdom to the Asean Championship crown.
Somyot himself confirmed soon after Kiatisak’s side successfully defended the title to become the most successful team in the biennial tournament with the record-breaking fifth regional crown that he would sit down with the former national striker to discuss contract extension early next month.
That seemed to put an end to persistent speculation about Kiatisak’s future until Sabella rumour became rife on Monday. Somyot, however, said he had no idea where such a rumour has came from.
“I have never had any contact with this Argentine coach. There are many foreign coaches who have given us their resumes. Recently, a Japanese coach, who once helped his native country reach the Youth Word Cup, proposed to coach our under-19 side. We’ve not yet accepted his offer as we wanted him to send his profile.
“As for the senior side, I can tell you that there are a considerable number of coaches showing interest in the national post. We’re willing to consider all of them as we want to take the team forward.
“If you ask whether there’s anyone who impressed us, I would say ‘not yet’. However, we have particular interest with those, who used to take a team to the World Cup finals, don’t you? Or, you’re just happy to be Asean champions,” said the former national police chief.
Somyot, though, gave a non-committal answer when asked whether he would renew Kiatisak’s contract that is due to expire in February.
“I never say that I would not extend his contract. He still has a few months remaining so he should do his job until the end of his contract. Everyone makes his or her own assumption that I would not offer him a new deal.
“I think about it all the time. No one could pressure me. This kind of thing can’t affect me. If you do a good job with your work, there’s no reason why I want to change. That makes no sense.
“On the other hand, if you perform poorly or not behave yourself well I have limited patience for those things, especially if you try to foment trouble. Once I decide to do anything, I act swiftly,” he said.
