Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Former Cerezo Osaka and Muangthong United boss Yoon Jong-Hwan has been spotted at the Thai FA head offices today, fuelling speculation that he could be in contention to take over the national team job following the resignation of caretaker boss Sirisak Yodyardthai.
According to this report from Siamsport, the Korean manager has ‘submitted a profile’ for consideration by the Thai FA, and seems to be actively seeking the role.
Yoon Jong-Hwan was appointed as the head coach of four-time Thai League champions Muangthong United at the beginning of April, hoping to rescue the club from a dire start to the season. However, during his time with the Kirin, Coach Yoon only managed one win and two draws from his six games in charge of the club. He parted company with Muangthong during the recent international break, and was replaced by former Buriram, Chiangrai and Thai U23 boss Alexandre Gama.
Despite his unsuccessful spell in Thailand, Yoon has plenty of pedigree and experience in Asia’s biggest leagues. In 2017, he guided Cerezo Osaka to win both the J.League Cup and Emperor’s Cup, as well as finish third in the J.League. This impressive feat with a club that had just been promoted from the second division earned him the Manager of the Year award for the Japanese top flight.
Thailand, meanwhile, are looking to rebuild after a disastrous King’s Cup campaign which saw them lose to Vietnam and India on home soil. Having recently appointed technical director Carles Romagosa, the FA are clearly looking to restructure ahead of their next appointment.