Profile of Coach Sakol Kliangprasert of Mon Thong Wittaya football team, the driver of dreams who led the underdog team to the finals, going viral with fans flooding Suphachalasai Stadium.
Following reports that Coach Sakol Kliangprasert of Mon Thong Wittaya football team—a team that sparked a youth football craze with tens of thousands of fans filling stadiums late in 2024—is set to resign as coach this March after his contract ends, it is expected he will move to coach another school team in the Chachoengsao area.
Coach Sakol has drawn attention again in Thai football circles despite being 65 years old and retired, after leading Mon Thong Wittaya School to the finals against the Chainat Provincial Administrative Organization School late in 2024.
Sakol Kliangprasert was born in Suphanburi Province and has loved football since childhood. He showed promise while studying at Debsirin School as a talented footballer capable of playing multiple positions. His discipline often earned him the role of team captain and mentoring younger players.
He then studied physical education at Srinakharinwirot University. After graduating, he started working in a field somewhat unrelated to his studies but continued playing football. Later, he resigned and returned to work as a physical education teacher, which marked the beginning of his coaching career. His first coaching role was at Suan Ruam Nam Jai School in Khlong Toei, before moving on to coach the "Sing Paknam" team at Rajavinit Bangkaew School.
He was then given the opportunity to coach the Surasakmontree School football team, leading them to three championships from five finals appearances. Naturally, much of the praise for these successes went to Coach Sakol as the leader of the team. However, the widespread respect he earned came from his dedication and passion for football, which was evident to all.
Coach Sakol gained fame again after driving the "dream vehicle" that led the Mon Thong Wittaya football team—previously overlooked by many—to advance through qualifiers, reach the round of 32, and climb all the way to the finals against Chainat Provincial Administrative Organization School. Although they lost, they made a significant impact on Thai football, attracting a full house at Suphachalasai Stadium for the final match.
Recently, there have been reports that Coach Sakol plans to leave Mon Thong Wittaya to coach another school's football team after his contract expires in March. Further details are expected to be clarified by Coach Sakol himself.
