Thailand coach Kiatisak signs new deal on deadline

The Thai FA boss Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang confirmed at the start of the week the association set February 28 as a deadline for the 43-year-old to sign a new deal or they would find somebody else to replace him. 
The Thai FA’s threat came after negotiations over Kiatisak’s new contract had gone on for more than a month, with the two parties reportedly being deadlocked over the tax burden that would arise during the length of the deal.  
Only 24 hours prior to the deadline, things looked bleak as Kiatisak, the man credited with engineering Thailand’s recent renaissance after years of underachievement, gave little clue that an agreement could be reached in time, saying there remained legal issues about the contract that needed to be sorted out. 
However, he eventually turned up at the Thai FA’s headquarters on Tuesday before putting pen to paper, ending months of speculation over his future that emerged shortly after he guided the country to its recordbreaking fifth Asean Championship title in December. 
After finally agreeing to a oneyear extension, Kiatisak said: “As I’ve always said, I’ve been in contact with the (FA) president. We’re only in the stage of looking into the details (of the contract). We’re talking back and forth between the legal teams on each side. The president is travelling aboard and he just wanted to get it done before leaving.
“The length of the contract was never an issue. The association itself prepared the draft contract. I had nothing to do with it or other issues like the salary or the tax. Everyone has to pay tax, please don’t say that I don’t want to pay tax. That’s completely untrue.  
“We all have to pay tax and that’s something that the legal team of the association has to take care of. I also have people to look after this matter. I hope everyone will understand that we have to talk in detail. I was aware that people wanted us to get it done quickly. 
“But now I want everyone to put my contract issue to bed and let’s think about how we can take points off Saudi Arabia and Japan. It’s where we need to give our focus now,” said Kiatisak, referring to the Thai team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this month.
One consequence of Kiatisak’s contract negotiating saga was that it put the coach, who has steered the Kingdom to two SEA Games and Asean Championship titles apiece during his tenure, in a negative light. Some doubted whether it is appropriate for the coach to accept a "sideline job" by becoming a presenter for various products, while others questioned his commitment to the national job. 
The Thai coach, though, quickly dismissed allegations that he did not watch domestic games enough to find new talent for the national team.
“I told the president that if I didn’t watch the games I would not be able to have 30 players (for the national team’s list). Did you know that I talked to Buriram (United), Chonburi (FC), Muangthong (United) and all the teams (to release their players for the national team)? No, that’s because I don’t want to make it public that I am doing my job. 
“I need to assign my staff to watch games. Of course, I could do that myself. But, I don’t want to spend 30 to 40 minutes taking selfies with fans at the venue and I end up failing to watch the game properly. We need to have efficiency in work. People may not see my face but I’ve watched more matches than they suggested.
“How could I get “Pipo” (Ubon UMT United striker Siroch Chatthong) if I don’t go to the games?” said Kiatisak in reference to the forward who he called up to the national team when he played in the second tier league last year.