Thailand choose ex-Ghana tactician Rajevac as their new head coach

BANGKOK — Serbia’s Milovan Rajevac has been chosen as coach of the Thai national team because of his vision and determination.

The Football Association of Thailand appointed the Serb earlier this week, ahead of two other candidates — Germany’s Winfried Schaefer and Brazil’s Marcos Paqueta.

The contract is for one year with an option to extend for another year and the new coach will start working here on May 5, according to the FAT.

“The association spent almost one month looking for a coach, with capable coaches from around the world expressing interest,” the FAT said in a statement.

”Milovan Rajevac ... has been chosen, after consideration for his ‘plan and working philosophy, readiness for work as well as his staff’.

Rajevac, 63, replaces Kiatisuk Senamuang who stepped down last month following a series of heavy defeats in Thailand’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

The former Red Star Belgrade defender guided Ghana to an unlikely quarter-final spot at the 2010 World Cup.

He was available after leaving his previous job as Algeria coach last year after just two games.

His will come with three assistants — Zoran Jankovic (assistant coach), Sasa Todic (goalkeeper coach) and Nebojsa Stamenkovic (fitness coach).

”We selected him because of his vision and his familiarity with Asian football. His staff members look more capable than those of other candidates,” FAT technical chief Witthaya Laohakul said.

”He sees our strong and weak points. He, as well as another candidate, went to watch Thai League matches at the stadium before we appointed him. This shows his determination.

”He sees the national team’s problems. He knows that our players like attacking but do not like defending. When we lose possession, our defenders don’t know what to do.

“These are technical problems and we also see it the same way. He will be able to fix our team’s weak points.

”Rajevac is also strong on the psychological side. His players would die for him on the pitch.

”His playing style is not only about winning but also exciting. That is what we want.

“You would be surprised by certain players he picks for the national team. He told me that he has seen several fine players who has never received call-ups to the national team.”

Rajevac was interviewed by Witthaya earlier this month.

Asked about his salary, Witthaya said: “His asking salary is acceptable. I think he does not think much about money. I think he wants to prove himself.”

Rajevac’s predecessor Kiatisuk reportedly received two million baht a month (S$80,752) from the FAT.

His first task will be a friendly against Uzbekistan on June 6 in Tashkent before a World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates in Bangkok on June 13.

Thailand are at the bottom of Group B of Asia’s final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup.

With six losses and one draw, the Thais are out of contention for a ticket to Russia 2018.

They have three games left in the qualifying campaign - at home to the UAE and Iraq and at Australia.

Thailand have never qualified for the World Cup finals.

Rajevac took control of Ghana in 2008 and led the Black Stars to the last eight of the 2010 World Cup where they lost to Uruguay in a shoot-out after striker Asamoah Gyan missed a last-minute penalty in regulation that would have sent them to the semi-finals.

Rajevac also had a brief stint with Qatar. He also worked with Chinese club Beijing Guo’an and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli. THE BANGKOK POST