RAYONG : Former national team boss Peter Withe has returned to Thailand as coach of PTT Rayong, the club said yesterday.
Peter Withe, right, instructs PTT Rayong players during training. JUMPHOL NIKOMRUK
The Englishman began training with his players yesterday although the club has not yet formally announced his appointment, said his assistant Chaiyong Khampiam, former Thailand goalkeeper.
PTT Rayong will play in the Thai Premier League next season, having been promoted from League One along with champions Air Force and Singhtarua (formerly Thai Port).
"He wants to see the players' fitness levels," Chaiyong said.
"He also wants to study their ability and attitude to find ways to improve the team."
Former England striker Withe, who won the European Cup with Aston Villa in 1982, has been one of the most successful coaches of the Thai national team.
Under his guidance, Thailand reached the semi-finals of the Asian Games twice in 1998 in Bangkok and 2002 in Busan, South Korea.
He coached Thailand from 1998-2002 and then had an unsuccessful spell as coach of Indonesia from 2004-2007.