Football Association of Thailand (FAT) technical chief Witthaya Laohakul has dropped a strong hint that national U23 side coach Zoran Jankovic is facing the axe.
Witthaya yesterday reacted strongly to Thailand's second straight loss in the AFC U23 Championship, which is underway in China, which ended their hopes of a place in the quarter-finals of the biennial tournament on Saturday night.
Thailand were beaten 1-0 by North Korea in their first Group B game last Wednesday and then suffered another loss by the same scoreline, going down to defending champions Japan on Saturday night.
The War Elephants have no points to their credit in Group B and play their last match against third-place Palestine tomorrow.
Thailand's latest defeat prompted Witthaya to indicate that Jankovic might soon be looking for a new job elsewhere.
"The boys played well, but we got the tactics all wrong," said Witthaya. "Going for a draw against Japan was a mistake.
"We also lacked creativity in the offence and held on to a single style, which made it easier for the opponents to read our game and block our attacks."
Witthaya added that the FAT will discuss Jankovic's future after the team's return from China.
Meanwhile, Jankovic rued missed opportunities in the opening game against the North Koreans.
"We had several chances to score goals in the first match but we could not avail them," said the Bulgarian coach.
"We changed the tactics for the match against Japan. If we hadn't made some mistakes during the final moments of the game, it would have worked.
"But I have to admit that we lacked the quality needed to take on a team like Japan.
"For the game with Palestine, we would have to put in our best performance.
"Every time when I am on duty, I always try to do my best and try to make the team play better. I expect the same from my players as well."
Thailand's last match of the championship against Palestine will be played at Changzhou Olympic Sport Stadium tomorrow at 3pm (Thai time).
KIRINS GET JAJA
After losing three of their key players with the new Thai League 1 season only weeks away, SCG Muang Thong United have provided their squad a much needed boost with the signing of Jakson 'Jaja' Coelho.
The Brazilian striker had a very successful loan spell at champions Buriram United last season where he scored 34 goals.
Striker Teerasil Dangda and defender Theerathon Bunmathan have both agreed to loan deals with J-League clubs, while goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan has signed with Belgium's second division side Oud-Heverlee Leuven (OHL).