Former Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang begins his new adventure today when his Port men take on Bangkok United in a Thai League 1 match at PAT Stadium.
Port coach Kiatisak Senamuang and club president Nualphan Lamsam at PAT Stadium on Friday. photo: pattarachai preechapanich
Affectionately called 'Zico' after the Brazilian legendary striker by the Thai media and fans, Kiatisak is making a comeback to competitive football after quitting as coach of the national side in March following two heavy defeats in Asia's final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup.
Just when Kiatisak's name had started to ebb away from the minds of a large number of fans -- Serbia's Milovan Rajevac got off to an impressive start in his first competitive match as coach of Thailand with a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Bangkok in a World Cup qualifying battle earlier this month -- he made headlines again in the past week when he was named new coach of Port.
The appointment has raised many eyebrows as observers wonder why Port president Nualphan Lamsam made changes to the team's coaching staff and why Kiatisak took the job.
Previous coach Jadet Meelarp, who has been moved upstairs, was doing a good job as promoted side Port were eighth in the top flight ahead of this weekend's round of matches.
Poor Jadet must be wondering what he has done wrong that prompted Nualphan to bring in Kiatisak.
Many observers believe the change took place for publicity and business reasons rather than footballing ones.
Kiatisak is already a brand ambassador for Muang Thai Insurance of which Nualphan is CEO, so it is fit for Kiatisak to help promote the company with an extended duty.
Unless you are in the same league as David Beckham, who recently secured a deal with a luxury watch maker, a brand ambassador without a job is probably useless for any company.
For Kiatisak, he claimed he had received several offers from foreign clubs but turned them down because he did not want to lead a club to fight a team from his homeland.
One may be surprised by his remark as coaching a foreign country or club is normal in football.
A lot of good coaches are working outside their home countries including Portugal's Jose Mourinho, Spain's Pep Guardiola, Italy's Antonio Conte, Carlo Ancelotti and Marcelo Lippi, and Germany's Juergen Klopp, to name but a few.
Kiatisak may want to stay with his family, but still many critics wonder why he chose Port.
No disrespect to Port but they are just also-rans in Thai League 1 and are unlikely to challenge for glory now or in the near future.
But Kiatisak has to feed his family and he and his company apparently has had fewer jobs since he quit the national team.
Running out of choices, he would take any job offered to him.
He will reportedly receive one million baht a month at Port. Although he was paid two million baht as coach of Thailand, the reported salary at Port is higher than what most Thai League 1 coaches get.
When Kiatisak was officially unveiled as Port coach on Friday, he said he would make PAT Stadium a hell for visiting teams and that he aimed for Port to finish in the top 10 in the league.
But they were already in the top 10 when he was named their coach so his arrival may not be considered a step forward for the Klong Toey club.
Kiatisak is the most successful coach of the Thai national team, having guided the War Elephants to win two Suzuki Cup titles and reach Asia's final qualifying round for the World Cup.
He also steered the Thai U23 team to claim the SEA Games crown in 2013 and finish fourth at the 2014 Asian Games.
However, he has never won anything at club level at home and abroad having previously coached Vietnam's Hoang Anh Gia Lai (twice), Sinthana, Chonburi, Chula United and Bangkok FC.
Interestingly, anything but a win against Bangkok United today could see Port under Kiatisak drop out of the top 10 in Thai League 1.