Axe still hovers over Schaefer, says FA boss

Many pundits expected the FA meeting to deliver the death blow to the 63-year-old Schaefer’s tenure as national coach, following Thailand’s dreadful start to their Asian Cup qualifying campaign, which has them rooted to the bottom of Group B without a point from two matches.

Worawi, though, said yesterday that the veteran coach’s future was not on the meeting’s agenda as initially reported. Nevertheless, the Thai FA boss remained noncommittal on whether the German would remain in a job he has held since 2011. 

“We have not made any decision yet regarding Schaefer’s job. But I can say there will be no discussion about the German’s future tomorrow. We have yet to decide whether to keep him in the job or to end his contract. We need to consider the issue carefully with all people involved.

“However, I will invite Schaefer to talk about all the issues, either problems that have occurred with the team, or with his contract. I hope we can find a solution that will not badly impact the association.

The FA boss also denied a report that Schaefer, whose tenure has been under intense scrutiny since he failed to help Thailand reclaim the Asean Championship title in December, would be moved to oversee the youth development programme.

“Regarding the report that we will reassign him to take charge of the youth team, I can confirm that it’s not true at all. We are not yet thinking about whether we’ll choose a local or foreign coach should we have to make a new appointment for the national team,” said Worawi, who is campaigning to become new president of the Asian Football Confederation in May’s elections.