"Coach Zico" clarifies three issues, ready to return to coaching, clearly responds to high salary concerns (video)
On 4 August 2026, Coach Zico Kiatisuk Senamuang, former striker and head coach of the Thailand national team, recently spoke on the "Clear Rim Sen" program on Thairath Sport on 3 August, discussing the possibility of returning to coaching.
Zico Kiatisuk Senamuang's most recent coaching role was with Cong An Hanoi, a top team in Vietnam's V.League 1. However, the former acrobatic striker took a break starting May 2024 to spend time with his family after his two daughters went to study in the UK.
Now, Coach Zico is ready to return to coaching after both daughters have graduated in the UK: Proud earned a bachelor's degree in business management and a second-class honors master's degree, Pearl completed a bachelor's in graphic design, and Perth, the eldest daughter, graduated with a bachelor's in economics from Chulalongkorn University.
Coach Zico admitted that previously he had received offers from teams both domestically and abroad, but the timing coincided with his daughters still studying in the UK. Now that the family is reunited with all five members together, it is the right opportunity for him to return to coaching.
Zico Kiatisuk Senamuang also clarified three issues regarding his return to coaching as follows:
- "It depends on what you want, whether you want the players or the head coach to have influence over the team. If you want a style like mine—running hard, relentless, playing the full 90 minutes with no letup, needing players who are fit, aggressive, and play short passes—you choose me."
"I have worked abroad before and earned a certain salary. The question is, do we want to raise the standard for Thai coaches? Since my standard is around this level, if the club is happy to work with me, negotiation is possible. It doesn't have to follow the salary ceiling I had in Vietnam, the national team, or anywhere else. It can be discussed."
- "I want to know what future the team wants to build. Do they want to win a championship within 1-2 years or aim for a certain league position? If I can't achieve that or am not happy with myself, I will resign. (For example, Chonburi FC in 2009 aimed to win the Thai League, but finishing second, I resigned.)"
- "Honestly, right now no one can beat Buriram United given their potential, investment, and readiness. But if you want a top 3 or top 4 finish, let's talk. Avoiding relegation and finishing in single digits is also possible. It depends on the goals we discuss. I’m not specific about team size—I can coach any team."