Former goalkeeper Dragan Talajic of Croatia was yesterday unveiled as coach of Thai Premier League side SCG Muang Thong United.
Dragan Talajic of Croatia.
The former coach of Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad has signed a three-year contract with the Kirins, said club director Ronnarit Suewaja.
"I am very pround to be here in Thailand. Muang Thong are one of the best clubs in Thailand and I will do my best to reach the goal of the team," said the 48-year-old coach who guided Al Ittihad to win the AFC Champions League in 2004.
"It will be a challenging job and I will do everything to help the team win titles. There is always pressure for a coach and the target of a coach is to win titles."
Ronnarit said: "It is the first time that we give a foreign coach a long-term contract. I’m sure that Dragan will steer Muang Thong to success both at home and in Asia."
Talajic began his coaching career at Al Ittihad in 2004 and has since managed clubs in several countries in the Middle East including Jordan and Kuwait.
Talajic was coach of Jordan’s Al Wahdat in the 2010-11 when he was named best coach of Asia by Al Jazeera Sport TV. His last club before joining Muang Thong was Dhofar of Oman.
Muang Thong are currently joint leaders of the TPL along with BEC Tero Sasana. The duo are one point ahead of defending champions Buriram United.
Muang Thong were without a permanent coach for two months after Englishman Scott Cooper left the club with Pol Chomchuen being caretaker coach during the period.
Since their first season in the TPL in 2009, Muang Thong, one of the most successful Thai clubs, have used coaches from countries around the world including Brazil, England, Serbia, Belgium and Germany.