Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thais close in on Robbo
Former England captain Bryan Robson is set to become Thailand's national team coach, Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi said yesterday.
"There is a very high chance that Robson will become the next coach of Thailand," Worawi said.
Robson, 52, would replace Peter Reid, another ex-England international, who parted company with Thailand recently to become Stoke City's assistant coach.
Worawi said he had sent Robson an air ticket and he will arrive in Bangkok on Tuesday to "finalise" details.
"I am sure that Robson would be a good choice. As a former England and Man U player, he is well known here," Worawi said.
"Even Man U manager Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying that Robson is capable of leading Thailand to success."
Asked about Robson's drinking habits, Worawi said: "He is a professional. He knows when it's time to work or drink. He can drink when he is not on duty. Peter Reid is also a heavy drinker and that was not a problem for us."
He said Robson would receive the same amount as Reid. He did not reveal the sum but reports said Reid got 1 million a year as Thailand's coach.
Robson would be asked to begin his job here next month if the deal is struck, Worawi said.
Thailand's next games will be home and away matches against Singapore in the Asian Cup qualifying round in November.
Worawi said Thailand's assistant coach Steve Darby would likely be Robson's right-hand man.
"As far as I know, Robson contacted Darby, who is in England," he said.
Former Thailand international Kiatisak Sanamuang, who is now Chon Buri coach, could be on the coaching staff for the Asian Cup qualifying and the Under-23 side's SEA Games campaign in December, Worawi said.
COMMENT - love it. Rather than ask why they appointed some guy with a penchant for going down they ask about his drinking! If liking a beer was a job requirement I would have sent off my cv. I would also stay longer than Robbo.
How long before he's gone? Seriously, for a change, if I were FAT(!) I would insist the national team coach move to Thailand for the duration of his contract.
"There is a very high chance that Robson will become the next coach of Thailand," Worawi said.
Robson, 52, would replace Peter Reid, another ex-England international, who parted company with Thailand recently to become Stoke City's assistant coach.
Worawi said he had sent Robson an air ticket and he will arrive in Bangkok on Tuesday to "finalise" details.
"I am sure that Robson would be a good choice. As a former England and Man U player, he is well known here," Worawi said.
"Even Man U manager Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying that Robson is capable of leading Thailand to success."
Asked about Robson's drinking habits, Worawi said: "He is a professional. He knows when it's time to work or drink. He can drink when he is not on duty. Peter Reid is also a heavy drinker and that was not a problem for us."
He said Robson would receive the same amount as Reid. He did not reveal the sum but reports said Reid got 1 million a year as Thailand's coach.
Robson would be asked to begin his job here next month if the deal is struck, Worawi said.
Thailand's next games will be home and away matches against Singapore in the Asian Cup qualifying round in November.
Worawi said Thailand's assistant coach Steve Darby would likely be Robson's right-hand man.
"As far as I know, Robson contacted Darby, who is in England," he said.
Former Thailand international Kiatisak Sanamuang, who is now Chon Buri coach, could be on the coaching staff for the Asian Cup qualifying and the Under-23 side's SEA Games campaign in December, Worawi said.
COMMENT - love it. Rather than ask why they appointed some guy with a penchant for going down they ask about his drinking! If liking a beer was a job requirement I would have sent off my cv. I would also stay longer than Robbo.
How long before he's gone? Seriously, for a change, if I were FAT(!) I would insist the national team coach move to Thailand for the duration of his contract.
# posted by Me @ 6:46 AM 
