What needs to be done to ensure that the TPL and the Thailand national team strengthen, improve and thrive over the next few years?
Reply #1: 15th September
Name: Jason Withe
Position: Head coach at Songkhla Utd
Website: www.jasonwithe.com
Twitter: @jasonwithe
Having first coached here in Thailand in 1999 until 2005 and returning this year I have seen some big changes on my return some good and some not so good.
The pleasing thing is how the TPL has developed, the support based has improved, how the teams are marketing themselves, most of the stadiums have improved although I think all the teams could make improvements for potential corporate sponsors and offer a more VIP experience incorporating a day package of food and beverage, entertainment in a family environment. Its also nice to see Thai people actually wearing football shirts of their own team rather than other teams from outside the Nation. The TV coverage is good and the branding has also improved.
I believe this is a good start for the TPL but don't get me wrong I still see big improvements that need to take place to keep improving the product. From a professional point of view and I have to really be careful not to criticise as I’m a Head Coach coaching a TPL team, the refereeing needs to improve and become professional and come under the TPL and not under any other organisation other than the TPL. Hearing stories of corruption, referees being shot and referees having to swear on Budda tells me that there are some real issues and that this will de-value the TPL product.
Although the foreign players coming into Thai football is positive and I agree with a quota on this what does concern me is that the market is agent driven and not driven by the clubs. Clubs are offered players on the back of the recommendation of agents this does not happen in Europe as the market is driven by clubs doing due diligence on players. There are some good foreign players here but there are some very average players who are on an equal to a Thai player so that takes away the development of the Thai players. If every foreign player is better and more professional than the local players this will improve Thai players as they will be training better and raising there own game. I also work for a company called Scout7 who are a market leader working with all the top clubs in Europe and South America, Scout7 holds the biggest database of players throughout the world including all previous games and a true player history this allows clubs to do a proper due diligence on what they might be signing. Another area that Scout7 helps teams is Analysis and this is a big area in Europe teams in the UK are now employing up-to 20-60 staff analysing not only senior but all youth teams including data on sports science.
Although some teams here are making in roads towards sport science this needs to be an area that seriously needs to be improved with teams here.
What has really disappointed me on my return is the decline of the National Team and this is something I had a direct impact on when I was here last time as I had around 12 players from BEC Tero Sasana representing the Thai National Team and having also helped my father with the National Team it is really disappointing to see Thailand go from 53 in the Fifa ranking to 154 is a sad state of affairs for a country that is so passionate about football. Thailand was the powerhouse of south east Asia unfortunately they are now playing catchup to other countries now.
There is most definately talent here in Thailand is this being tapped into and developed properly than I would have to say no. Coaches really need a full understanding on youth development and how to take players to the next level with a player development strategy that is proven to work.
If you look at Local Coaches here and the Coach Education they have just delivered an AFC ‘A’ License here which has taken 1 month to complete. So a coach is a fully ‘A’ licensed coach in 1 month. Just to give you some idea in Europe you would be lucky to complete an ‘A’ Licence in 2 years! I’m an UEFA Pro License Coach, FA Academy Director, FA Youth Award L3, FA Goalkeeping ‘A’ License, FA Psychology L5, FA Fitness Trainers Award, LMA Football Management Diploma Award and a few others, if you add all these
qualifications up it has probably taken me 15-20 years of continued development…it has taken coaches here 1 month. How can coaches develop themselves and improve in just 1 month?
This in turn will have a direct impact on the quality of coaching being delivered to players in this country. In Europe we have to complete CPD (Continues Personal Development) to retain our licenses. Here they pass in 1 month box ticked and then go off and deliver what they want.
So I would suggest this is an area that needs some serious consideration if people here in Thailand are really serious about developing football here.
I would suggest;
Every team TPL & Div 1 teams have academies that play each other on a regular basis from U12 - U21. These Academies can be graded 1-3 dependant on staff and facilities and funding from either the sports council, Thai FA as well as commercial sponsor. This would
include a comprehensive philosophy and player development programme which is monitored on a weekly - monthly basis that is being delivered comprehensively otherwise funding is pulled or suspended.
A regional FA Academy/Centre of excellence that offers the best players in Thailand from U14 - U18 three teams of around 23 players a chance to be educated both academically and technically on a daily basis. This will ensure that the best players in Thailand are every possible chance to become the complete player and fulfil there potential.
A Coach Education department within the Thai FA and coaches are developed on a regular basis to retain there license. Other areas of expertise are offered including;
Coaching, Managing, Youth Development, Sports Science and Fitness, Psychology, Refereeing, Scouting & Recruitment, Analysis, to name a few areas that would improve the infrastructure here in this great footballing nation.
Obviously the above takes funding from the FA, clubs, sports council and potential commercial sponsors and the right people need to be on board to drive such projects forward but I'm a great believer if you want the same results than continue what you are
doing and if change then have a compressive plan that the right people believe in and make a change.
There are a lot of people in Thailand who feel very passionate about football here, me included, and I would be more than happy to pass my expertise on to make the change.
Reply #2: 16th September
Name: Surachai Jaturapattarapong
Position: Former Thai National Head Coach
I agree with the ideas already given.We also need to follow the AFC rules if we are to improve the quality of the TPL and our top teams. It is very important for us to have a national youth league. Also, coaches in Thai football must be licensed through the AFC or take coaching badges through the Thai FA to make sure that they are of the highest standard.
Name: Stefano "Teco" Cugurra.
Position: Brazilian Head Coach of Osotspa M150
We definitely need those things, but also the Head Coach of the national team should not only look at TPL and Division 1 games. There are many skilled players in the regional leagues that can be assessed and they can add a lot of skill to Thai football. The national coach must also have good relations with all the TPL and division 1 coaches to make sure they understand about what will happen to their players and know the players will return to them in good condition. This good communication will also give him more information about players he wants to pick for the national team and help him make a better decision. The national team must also have training camps and friendly games in Europe and South America to help them prepare for big games.
Name: Michael Byrne
Position: Player for Ayutthya FC
Personally I think that changing the times of the season can be a positive point. It's beyond me why we play during the hot season and the cool season we are off. Another thing a lot of people may not agree with is that the influx of top foreign players has had a big affect on Thai football as a whole and helped the Thai players understand the way that foreign players (be it European or South American or anywhere) train and prepare for games and how their lifestyles differ. Cutting the quota of players is making it easier for the Thai players. I can see it slightly slipping now that Thai players are not being pushed because they know they are going to play week in week out. There's no competition for places. Only completion for place is the foreign positions.
Reply #3: 17th September
Name: Tangmo Pue-on
Position: Anchorman for True Sport coverage of the Thai Premier League
There are many good suggestions made and everybody wants to help make Thai football better.
First of all, we must ensure that TPL and Thailand national team will be improved: we need to improve every person involved to make sure they show an excellent and professional attitude, stop thinking of only themselves and start thinking for the nation. I believe that if all the bosses in every team and TPL cared for the future more than a single win in the TPL this would lift up the whole standard not only for the TPL but also the Thailand National Team.
Secondly, as many people have already said, to have an Academy for each team with at least 1 youth team is vital, but they have to do it properly.
Finally, every team must be professional in every way, including players, coaches, staff and managers. The key word is organisation and everything from every person at the club must show a high level of planning and careful organisation. These are the things that must be done before we start to look at all the details.
I hope we can do it.
Go Go Thailand!
Reply #4: 18th September
Scott Cooper:
Position: Former Head Coach at Buriram and SCG Muang Thong United. Now at Suphanburi FC
I think the single most important factor for long term success and consistency in Thai football is an accountable national youth structure. Clearly there are always issues at the top flight and within the elite league, here being the TPL. Many point fingers at officiating management coaching, and this will always be the case to a degree. We must also remember that the TPL has quickly gathered momentum and is in itself an entity to be proud of even if it requires evolution and accountability.
The national team has had some excellent times, notably under Peter Withe, and it's a shame now to see the FIFA ranking slump under average, under supported performances. Once the TPL clubs work together for the good of the national team we may see them rise again, because certainly there is the talent here still, proven in TPL and AFC ACL and AFC cup recent performances.
However, I do think it's time to look forward and not back and to take stock of how good our young players are and could be under the right tutelage! An accountable national youth policy is clearly required yet not easy to implement due to time, travel and financial constraints. Perhaps the model should be as Jason mentioned to categorize the clubs youth programmes on each clubs' desire, financial ability and facilities. The EPPP program recently introduced into English academies is an OFSTED style inspection that works with clubs to decide its level in terms of its category going forward. Once these clubs are categorized they work towards common goals and developments and a structure for clubs and inter clubs is formulated. Categories are elements such as facilities, coaching and learning, qualifications, education etc. in short a national youth structure with a competent team to administer and deliver the national structure and with it a working relationship with the likes of a full prof program such as the EPPP. This could create successful consistent longevity!
Reply #5: 19th September
Name: Ron van Oijen
Position: Former CEO of AIA (major sponsor of Thai football)
An easy and very valid question, but I am afraid it could be a long answer. But still I will summarize it.
The success of the Thai national team will be a result of the organisation of the TPL and even more important, the organisation of youth development at each professional club. One should realize though that this is a mid/long-term plan. No quick or short-term success should be expected.
Football in Thailand is getting more important and more popular. TV is also contributing. However, the Thai FA and the clubs themselves need to professionalize as well. I suggest the following quick time actions to ensure improvements.
1. Each professional club in the TPL must have a youth academy for the ages 10-18. A national competition should be established.
2. Each professional club in the TPL must have a B-team, for which also a national competition should be established.
3. The management of each club needs to be professionalized, by hiring international directors for a few years.
Finally, the decision makers, club owners, press and coaches should look at the infrastructures in Germany, Japan and Netherlands. The local FA's would be very happy to assist.
Name: Lee Tuck
Position: Player for Nakorn Ratchasima FC
Keep foreign players. The first year I came to Thailand, which was 5 years ago, there were only a handfull of foreigners playing. Year after year more foreign players have come so the standard of the foreigners has improved, which has helped Thai players develop. The standard of football has increased and the games are more physical. I think it's important to keep a good number of foreign players in each team to keep a high standard of football.
Develop young Thai players
I think what is most important for the long term is to develop the young Thai players. Young players who have been developed in the right way professionally from a young age do not need to be training basic football skills when they become a pro footballer so with the experience of playing pro football at the top level (TPL) that will help them to become better. The younger the players are developed the better chance Thailand national team will have for the future.
The Final Word: 20th September
Name: Jason Withe
Position: Head coach at Songkhla Utd
Website: www.jasonwithe.com
Twitter: @jasonwithe
Having read with interest the comments we have a lot of experienced and passionate people who certainly have something to offer Thai Football. I can see it would defiantly be of advantage to draw on the knowledge of these people to help develop and shape Thai football. If we take the English FA who have drawn up a Commission which is a group of experts with the emphasis on improving the English game. I could see this as a great advantage to improving the game in Thailand and making the National team better and more competitive in the long term. I personally have always asked people to offer an opinion to help with any changes that I might need help with and the problem is when the decision comes from the same one person or people change is very unlikely to happen. Seeking the advice of experts can only be of advantage to take things to the next level.
In summing up the focus clearly needs to be towards; Youth Development - Coach Education - Refereeing. I can see a need for clubs to also improve in areas such as; Recruitment (Foreign Imports) - Sport Science - Analysis - Scouting
I believe It would be of great help to teams if a model for all clubs was drawn up on how to become more professional both on and off the pitch for clubs to reach there full potential from a marketing, commercial and community aspect. We have some highly experienced people within the game in Thailand who also have a passion for improving and putting Thailand National Team in a competitive position and to become a powerhouse in not only south east Asia but the whole of Asia. If Thailand are content on being where they currently are then continue what they are doing and they will get the same results but if it wants change then something needs to change to make change happen. Seek expert opinion draw up a realistic plan that we can work too and lets get behind it and drive it forward.
I will be interested to see what changes if any take place and how a decision for these changes is established.
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