OFFICIAL: Thailand National Team Announces European Head Coach

The Football Association of Thailand has officially appointed Anthony Hudson as the head coach of the national team.

On the afternoon of October 23, the Football Association of Thailand held an official ceremony to introduce the new head coach of the national team. The English coach, Anthony Hudson, will replace his predecessor Masatada Ishii, who was shockingly dismissed just one day ago.

Anthony Hudson expressed his deep gratitude to Madam Pang and the Football Association of Thailand for giving him the opportunity to take on the role of head coach of the Thai national team, and he also conveyed his hopes for success.

Following Masatada Ishii's dismissal, Anthony Hudson, former coach of BG Pathum United and currently the Technical Director of FAT, is the leading candidate for the hot seat. Hudson, 44, has coached several international teams such as the USA, New Zealand, and Bahrain, and is highly regarded for his modern football philosophy and ability to work with young players.

Hudson added that previously, as Technical Development Director, he focused on Thailand’s national teams from the U23 level downward. He has studied and realized that Thai football has potential to grow and advance further. However, it is crucial to have a consistent team management approach across all squads, ensuring each team develops along the same pathway and shares a common football identity. This includes scouting and a centralized data system for Thai football players.

"Everything happened very quickly over the past 24 hours, and my contract status is currently under discussion before finalization and signing. The next two matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, against Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan, are quite intense. I have been in similar situations before while coaching the Bahrain national team, where the pressure to qualify increased. I am very confident that Thailand will secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup.

Although it won't be easy, I believe we will win both matches as planned with high-quality players. It is my personal responsibility to motivate my players to perform well", newly appointed head coach Anthony Hudson shared after his appointment.