Kiatisuk Senamuang recalls his resignation from the Thailand national team, relating it to leading the team into the final 12 of the 2018 Asian World Cup qualifiers.
On 12 Mar 2016, "Zico" Kiatisuk Senamuang looked back on his resignation from the "War Elephants," Thailand's national team, in connection with leading the team into the third round or final 12 of the Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, speaking through Thairath's Cheer Thailand NEW ERA.
Zico Kiatisuk Senamuang said, "When I coached Thailand into the final 12, it was the first time for many players like Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan, Teerasil Dangda, and Kawin Thamsatchanan. We just told them to do their best. We had to face teams like Japan, full of players playing in Europe. On that day, the chance to compete with Japan was very slim, but as a coach, we don't say that. We don't admit it. As coaches, we don't fear."
"But with performance and players, everything takes time. We thought that in the next 4 years, if we kept this group, we might not have to fear anyone anymore. Maybe in 4 or 8 years, because those kids were only 21-22 years old then. They could develop further. But of course, my time wasn't enough (laughs)."
"Since I resigned in 2016, it's now been 10 years. I'm still waiting to see who will replace me and lead the team to that level. Back then, we did our best. We hope someone will come to improve it. From my perspective as a fan, I want to see how fans respond. From ten years ago until now, I want to see what changes have occurred and how Thailand has surpassed ASEAN."
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