by "Lenny Lyons"
November, 2015
In Thai football, there is this idea at management level that foreigners should be kept away from the organisation of a club. There are cultural differences of course, but successful European programs of development could be implemented here, with only minor adjustments.
The technical quality of Thai players is not apparent, but they are the future for Thai football. The majority of foreign players here, generally speaking, are in Thailand for one reason. They are not good enough to get a decent living in their own environment. That applies to many coaches as well.
That is not good enough. The future of Thai football should be with local players.
I have been to watch training sessions at a Thai Premier League club. It is so bad it is embarrassing. No technical work, no tactical work. It resembles a Sunday kick about in England.
Football is a team game, but it is made up of individuals. Those individuals all need to work on technique and their role within the team formation - if there is a formation!
Add to this, the knee jerk reactions that occur if there are a few bad results and you have a problem. There are changes and the problem just gets worse. Thai Port comes to mind.
Gary Stevens was not given a chance at Army or Port. You could argue that he is unproven as a coach, but he was a quality player at the highest level. He knows how to do it, but he needs time to show he can. I met him once. He is a good guy with a good attitude. He could have made a big difference to Port.
We discussed me going there to structure an academy program. Not just a junior program but a 'real' functioning academy. He spoke with his boss and meetings were tentatively arranged. The next thing, he's out the door!
And what a prospect there is with that club. Super little stadium, in a great city, and fantastic supporters breathing down opponents necks. It's all there, but with respect to his boss, she's not a football person. You're not selling handbags here.
I think the very first time a Thai 'owner' steps back and thinks "hang on, let's use this experience that is in Thailand", their club will reap rewards.
You can't buy real experience on and off the field. It has to be learnt. But you can buy it in. I have 40+ years of working at football and sports clubs in Europe, including running my own club for 20 years. How long have most Thai clubs been in existence? 10 years?. And it's not just me, there are plenty of others out there who are equally, or better, qualified. I just use myself as an example.
One evening, I sat with the GM of a prominent club and I asked him to name the four most important things about his club. He put himself first. That says it all. When I told him that number 1 was the team, number 2 the supporters, number 3 a great junior academy not a 'lip service' effort to get a licence, and then him, he took offence.
When I further added that the team and the supporters were not immediately replaceable, but he was, the evening concluded. Maybe it was a bit harsh but when he had remarked that there was, quote, "no future in juniors" I just gave up. He is in football for himself, not his club, let alone the fans, who after all, are his income.
I said to another owner of a lower level club just recently, give me a mandate and defined responsibilities and I'll fill your stadium, put you on top of the Thai Premier league in 5 seasons.
Not possible he said. Well I've got news for him. Over here it would be.
It's so frustrating when you see the untapped potential and no one's doing anything. Oh well, never mind.
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