Football Tribe Thailand
Head coach Masatada Ishii will be aiming for a top-three finish with Samut Prakan City next season and believes that the Sea Fang have the potential to be a strong Thai League club.
Samut Prakan City shook the Thai League with an ambitious appointment of former Kashima Antlers head coach Masatada Ishii. The former J League winning manager arrives with an impressive record and is renowned for guiding Kashima to the 2016 Club World Cup finals, where they were eventually defeated by Real Madrid 4-2 after drawing 2-2 in normal time.
Samut Prakan City was one of the surprise performers of 2019 and the appointment of Masatada Ishii is a clear statement that the club wants to build on last year’s success.
“I am extremely excited to begin working, more than I am nervous. I accepted the job after talking to the management and hearing their intention to build a successful Thai League club.”
“Though most of our players are considered pretty young, after watching our games, I believe the squad has the potential to grow stronger.”
Picha Autra and Jaroensak Wonggorn played a crucial role in Samutprakan City’s run to a sixth-place finish and were recognized with call-ups to the senior and U23 National Team squads. Judging by Ishii’s comment, it’ll be interesting to see how far he can develop the current core of young talents.