OFFICIAL: Akira Nishino appointed as new coach of Thailand national football team

Right after the tight negotiation on July 1, Akira Nishino was officially appointed as head coach of Thailand national team and U23 team by FAT.

After Sirisak Yodyardthai stepped down at the national team and Alexandre Gama resigned at U23 team. FAT has been seeking for a new coach as SEA Games 30 as well as World Cup 2022 qualifiers are going to kick off. There were many coaches applying for these positions, including Muangthong’s former coach Yoon Jong-hwan and Akira Nishino who took Japan into the knockout stage in World Cup 2018.

His talks with Thai football executives on Monday afternoon reported to end without a visible outcome, but further discussion in the evening led to an agreement.

Nishino once leading Japan's Blue Samurai to knockout stage at the World Cup in Russia last year, will take over the power at Thailand's national team as it strives to reach the 2022 tournament through the Asian qualifiers.

He will coach the U23 team at the SEA Games 30 in the Philippines and the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 held in Thailand.

The FAT's press release said Nishino accepted the offer after talks with association chief Somyot Pumpanmuang and another executive, with Nishino requesting from the beginning to observe both teams for building continuity and manage in the two national teams in the same direction.