Coach Polking lost his job because Thailand lost to China

According to team manager Nualphan Lamsam, coach Mano Polking was once trusted, but the defeat against China forced her and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to make changes, in order to achieve the goal of qualifying Thailand for the World Cup.

Coach Polking should have been sacked in September when Thailand lost the King's Cup to Iraq. At that time, Coach Masatada Ishii was ready to replace him, but ultimately, Ms. Nualphan and the Thai players still trusted Coach Polking. However, the 1-2 defeat against China in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers changed the team's and the FAT's (Football Association of Thailand's) opinion of Coach Polking.

"The loss to China has a huge impact on our chances of advancing to the third round of qualifiers," Nualphan wrote on her personal Facebook page yesterday, November 22nd. "I think it's time for a change, so that Thailand can be better prepared when facing top Asian teams."

Coach Mano Polking cried after Thailand's 3-1 victory over Singapore in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on November 21. Photo: FAT

Ms. Nualphan reported to FAT President Somyot Poompanmoung and spoke privately with coach Mano Polking. Therefore, the Brazilian coach knew he would lose his job even before Thailand's 3-1 victory over Singapore in the second match on November 21st.

Thailand currently sits second in Group C with three points, level with China but ahead on goal difference (+1 compared to -2). South Korea leads with six points, and Singapore is at the bottom with no points. Thailand has two remaining matches: one against South Korea, one against China away, and one against Singapore at home.

Ms. Nualphan dismissed allegations of abuse of power, asserting that she never interfered with the head coach's work. In her role as team manager, she only tried to provide the best players on the coach's wish list, while also facilitating the team's living conditions and equipment.

Coach Mano Polking and Madam Pang celebrate winning the AFF Cup 2022. Photo: FAT

Regarding the appointment of Masatada Ishii, Madam Pang emphasized that the Japanese coach has proven his capabilities in J-League 1 and Thai League 1 with four titles with Kashima Antlers and six titles with Buriram United. Furthermore, Japanese football has always been highly regarded in Thailand, even though Akira Nishino – the first Japanese coach – has not been successful with the Thai national team or U23 team.

"Ishii is ready to start working immediately," Pang said. "He also has the most knowledge, familiarity, and information about the Thai players."

Thai newspaper Siam Sport warned that coach Masatada Ishii faces many difficulties upon taking office at this time. The 56-year-old coach's first match will be a friendly against Japan on January 1, 2024, followed by having to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup group stage and the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Mid-Autumn Festival

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