On June 1, Port FC unveiled Alexandre Gama as their new head coach, signaling a renewed ambition to challenge domestic powerhouses like Buriram United and True Bangkok United, while also aiming for a return to continental competition. Known as the “Lions of Khlong Toei,” Port are banking on Gama’s proven track record to restore their competitive edge after a disappointing 5th-place finish in the 2024/25 Thai League 1 season.
The appointment comes just two days after former head coach Rangsan Viwatchaichok was snapped up by fierce rivals Muangthong United—further intensifying the rivalry between the two clubs. Gama, notably, is one of only three managers in Thai football history to have coached both Buriram and Muangthong, making his arrival all the more significant.
With his hiring, Gama becomes the 14th head coach to take charge of Port since the club was taken over by the Lamsam family in 2015—highlighting the club’s ongoing search for long-term stability and success.
A towering figure in Thai football, the Brazilian tactician holds the record as the most decorated foreign head coach in the country, boasting 12 domestic titles. His trophy cabinet includes a glittering haul with Buriram United: two Thai Premier League titles, a Thai FA Cup, a Thai League Cup, two Kor Royal Cups, a Premier Cup, and a Mekong Club Championship. He added four more pieces of silverware during a successful spell with Singha Chiangrai United, winning two FA Cups, a League Cup, and a Champions Cup.
Gama also had a notable tenure at Muangthong United in 2019, where he rescued the club from relegation danger and guided them to a fifth-place finish. Most recently, he turned Lamphun Warriors from strugglers into a solid mid-table outfit and led them to the final of the 2024/25 Thai League Cup, where they finished as runners-up to Buriram.
Beyond the Thai league, Gama’s coaching résumé includes stints with the Thailand U-19 and U-23 national teams, as well as clubs abroad such as Al-Wahda (UAE), Al-Shahaniya (Qatar), and Daegu FC (South Korea), though the latter proved to be less fruitful.
With the 2025/26 season on the horizon, Port FC are placing their faith in a manager who not only understands Thai football inside out but also knows how to win. If Gama can replicate even a fraction of his past successes, the Lions may soon find themselves roaring back to the summit of Thai football—and beyond.