How satisfied were you with the way the team played last season under your leadership?
Yes I am very satisfied with what we did because it is not easy to come here near the bottom, many points behind everybody, and the players did the maximum. Only two games I have complained about with them, and I talked about these games when starting training now. The games where we really didn’t do well and lost important points was the 2-2 draw at home against PTT and the 1-1 against Chiangmai. For these two games we really didn’t do well, we started slowly.
But during the other games we did very well, the players did the maximum, and I can’t complain. But I want more. We can’t be satisfied with just [5th place]. Ok, we finished last season, now we must fight and try to be a champion. I always push the players for this. I want to be a champion here.
What was the thinking behind allowing Heberty to leave, and join Port FC?
I don’t like [the decision]. But this is about the club, and they decided to do this. I am the coach, I have my opinion, they respect it a lot, and I respect them. Now, in Thai football, we need to control the cost, and most teams and trying to adjust their budget and control how they organize better. Muangthong took this decision, I can’t say if it is wrong or not. I will do my best.
For Heberty, yes he is an amazing player and we work together here, and he did the best for Muangthong. But now, he moved. We can’t [complain] ‘oh Heberty’s gone, what can we do?’ We have to work, we will try to bring one player to support the club and replace him. But I never complain when I lose one player because I must believe in my group. The group, for me, is the most important. Heberty is the most amazing, but…we’ll see. I believe we can do well. He is part of the club and has his name here, but I respect what the president decided.
Another player that you’ve lost in the window, or not renewed the contract of, is Brazilian midfielder, Bruno Gallo. Why did you choose not to keep him at the club?
Bruno did well, he is a very smart guy when it comes to passing. He moves the ball well. But for what I want to prepare for this season, he is not the player that I need. Why? Well, most of the players at Muangthong [play] a passing game. I need to bring one player with different characteristics. Bruno, it was my decision to change. While he is a good player, but for what I want to prepare for next season, I can’t use him.