You’ve worked with both Gama and Bandovic, the two most successful foreign coaches in Thailand. How are they different and what makes them so successful?
Actually, the difference is not that big. What they both do well is that they understand the Thai culture, and they know how to handle the Thai players. For us foreigners, it is pretty easy, but for Thai players it is not easy. You have to give them a bit of space, but at the same time you have to tell them what to do and how to improve.
Their styles also are pretty similar, it’s like defense first and then counter-attack or transition. I am really thankful for this time with Gama, he is a very interesting coach. I have had many coaches here – one of my favourites was Popov [at Suphanburi] who is now working in Myanmar. And there’s Zico [Kiatisuk Senamuang], of course.
But what makes the difference for these two guys is that they understand the Thai culture, they respect the Thai culture, but they also try to [have an] influence at the same time.
You played so well as a box-to-box midfielder. In Thailand’s recent games against Vietnam and Indonesia, people were praising Phitiwat in that role. Thitipan also plays well in that role. Where exactly do you play? Because when you sit deep, you can pass – but you also you have the energy to go up and down. Where would you prefer to play?
I prefer to touch the ball as many times as I can. If I touch 30 times in 10 minutes for example, I have an amazing game. But some people in Thailand, especially people who don’t understand football, they prefer me as a box-to-box midfielder. Because they think that I run, I fight – they don’t see that if I play as a ‘6’ and switch balls or pass, the don’t see it, and they think I am not doing well.
Of course, after my injury – I’ll tell you the truth. If I had this kind of injury in Europe, a cartilage, I don’t think I would be able to come back. They wouldn’t give me the time. In Thailand, you have more time.
I think also Tanaboon – you’ve been asking why he plays as a center-back. Because as a center-back you have time. You see the game. In midfield, you have to watch – front, back, left, right. As a center-back, after this kind of injury – against Muangthong, he played amazingly. But I understand now for the national team why you are complaining.
For me, I told Gama that I want to be a box-to-box again, it is more interesting, as I can attack more. But now we are playing with two, so it is more difficult to be a box-to-box. But my preferred position would be to run the game as a six.
Do you see yourself reinventing your game for the National Team to being a ‘Regista’…like the ‘Thai Pirlo.’ Because Tanaboon doesn’t have that ability to switch the play or break the lines with his passes.
The difference between me and Tanaboon is that defensively, he is much better than me. He has very long legs, and he is using it very well. He also can read the game. But for me, I like the long switch passes, or to hold on to the ball and calm the game down.
If you’re asking about the national team, I can’t answer yet because I am not in the squad. And now, we are playing with two midfielders in Muangthong, it is different also. If I get the chance, I would play anywhere he [Akira Nishino] would like me to play.
Like I said, people like me more as a box-to-box. I think during the 2014 [AFF Cup] I was also a box-to-box with Sarach and Chanathip. It depends on how the coach plays, and what the coach wants. I talked to Gama, I said that I saw what he did with Thitipan. Before he was with Gama, Thitipan also had a difficult time and wasn’t in the national team. But then he changed with [Gama’s coaching] – I want to make the same step. I want to improve the game and go back to the game that I had. He’s helping me right now and I am thankful for that.
But about being Pirlo, I can’t answer. I want to be Chappuis and that’s it.