New Thailand coach Mano Polking has vowed to help the War Elephants win the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The 45-year-old German, also known as Alexandre Polking, was appointed coach of the Thai national team on Tuesday.
"I can't describe in words what I'm feeling right now. I'm just happy, proud, excited and confident," the Brazil-born tactician said in a social media post yesterday.
"Thailand is like my home and [I] love the people and the culture since I arrived eight years ago. Now I will give my best to justify the trust you're giving me.
"With the staff, the players, the board of directors [of the Football Association of Thailand] and especially the fans, I know that we can do it. We will focus and work hard from now on and let's fight to bring the Suzuki Cup back to Thailand."
Polking has previous experience with the Thai national team, having served as assistant coach from 2012-2013 under his German compatriot Winfried Schaefer.
Polking, a former winger for Greek clubs Apoel FC and Olympiacos Nicosia, began his managerial career in 2008 as assistant coach at the UAE's Al Ain and Azerbaijan's FC Baku before landing the role with the Thai national team.
He went on to coach several Thai clubs, including the now-defunct Army United, Suphanburi and Bangkok United.
Under Polking, Bangkok United finished second in Thai League 1 in 2016 and 2018 and were runners-up in the FA Cup in 2017.
Polking's most recent job was at Vietnamese side Ho Chi Minh City.
In the Suzuki Cup, Thailand are in Group A with Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei or Timor Leste.
Defending champions Vietnam will play Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos in Group B.
The Thais will open their campaign against Brunei or Timor Leste on Dec 5. The final is scheduled for Jan 1.
Thailand are the most successful nation in the Suzuki Cup with five wins, the last one coming in 2016.
Singapore have lifted the trophy four times, Vietnam two and Malaysia one.
Singapore to host event
Singapore will be the venue for the Suzuki Cup, the Asean Football Federation (AFF) said late on Tuesday.
Thailand also wanted to host the tournament but lost to Singapore in a vote by member countries.
The tournament, which features the 11 countries in the Asean group, is normally held on a home-and-away basis but will be played in a centralised format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The competition has already been delayed by a year after being postponed because of coronavirus restrictions.