Serbia's Milovan Rajevac officially took over as the Thai national team coach yesterday, expressing optimism in the face of long odds that the Kingdom will reach the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Rajevac and his team of assistant coaches were unveiled at yesterday's press conference which was attended by Football Association of Thailand president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, secretary-general Pol Lt Gen Pisan Jundilok and technical chairman Witthaya Laohakul.
Rajevac's first words to the Thai media were "sawasdee krub".
The 63-year-old Serb said he had no doubts that Thailand had the potential to improve.
"I think Thai football can continue its development. I also believe that football is the most popular sport in the country, so it can be an added boost to our efforts," said Rajevac, speaking through an interpreter.
"I have watched some matches of the Thai League 1 and I think the Thai players have fighting spirit, which is a very good thing.
"There are so many talented players here and they have good technique as well.
"I am mainly interested in versatile players who can fill in many different roles in a game."
Giving an inkling of his plans for the national team, Rajevac said: "My observation is that in the past, the Thai team mainly played attacking game and conceded many goals.
"They should be more defensive. Many teams that I coached hardly conceded goals. I want to develop the players technically but the results must also be good as well."
The veteran coach, who guided Ghana to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, added: "I have helped a team qualify for the World Cup finals but it needs time and patience.
"It is not only the players, but everyone else around them would also have to have the same passion.
FAT president Somyot Poompunmuang hands over a Thailand national team jersey to new coach Milovan Rajevac at a press conference yesterday. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
"I believe that if we work together as a family and get support from everyone, especially the Thai fans, we can get to that point. I hope that we can achieve it [qualifying] for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar."
Rajevac's first game as the head coach of the national team will be a friendly with Uzbekistan on June 7 in Tashkent, only six days before Thailand play their eighth Group B match of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with the United Arab Emirates in Bangkok.
Thailand have lost six matches and drawn one in the campaign.
"It's too early to talk about tactics as we have to analyse many things," said Rajevac.
"We have to observe many players and locate those who can play with many styles. As I said the Thai players are technically sound and I am hoping that they will adapt well to the new system and game plan.
"I want to develop the potential of the national team and this includes the three remaining World Cup qualifying round matches.
"We want to show everyone that Thailand can be at par with the big Asian teams. This is very important although we have already been out of contention.
"I have done my homework and I already know the potential of the national team players and their tactics from the previous matches. But as I said earlier that I have to see the players first. We have to get to know each other.
"At least I know the opponents well enough. I have studied their games and I have experience in Asian football."
Answering a question, Rajevac said: "I used to be asked like this when I was Ghana coach that whether they would qualify for the World Cup finals or not. What I told them was that we would have to work hard and have faith in the ability of the players.
"If we [the Thais] can all unite and become one family -- myself, players, officials, media and fans -- we'll be able to achieve a lot.
"Expectation is very important, but we must understand where are we now.
"We must work hard in every department. It is good to have a dream and I hope that we will be able to realise our dream soon."
Rajevac was sacked as coach of Algeria after just two games last year. He has also coached Qatar and worked at clubs in Asia as head coach or assistant coach.
Somyot, meanwhile, said Rajevac would be working under the supervision of Witthaya.
"Witthaya is a former national player and coach and knows a lot about Thai football," said Somyot. "He should be able to help the new coach in many ways."
Rajevac has replaced former national striker Kiatisak Senamuang, who quit in March after almost three years in charge of the national team. He resigned after a spate of heavy losses in the World Cup qualifiers.