Newly appointed Thailand coach aims for 2027 Asian Cup qualification

Anthony Hudson, the recently appointed Thailand coach, intends to build a unified team identity and performance standards at every squad level, with the goal of reaching the 2027 Asian Cup finals.

On October 22, 2025, Thai media widely reported that the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is hastily appointing Anthony Hudson as the national team head coach, expected to be officially introduced within a week. This decision follows FAT's parting with coach Masatada Ishii, despite his recent 6-1 victory over Chinese Taipei; experts believe FAT is aiming for a long-term strategy for Thai football.

Anthony Hudson, 44, who has previously managed several national teams and BG Pathum United club, currently serves as FAT’s Technical Director. He will formally take on the head coach role to prepare for two crucial November matches against Singapore (November 13) and Sri Lanka (November 18). This will be Hudson’s opportunity to debut and test his tactics.

Immediately after his appointment, Hudson began developing a structured football system aimed at creating a distinct identity and uniform playing standards for all national teams. He emphasized that the long-term goal is to sustainably develop Thai football, enabling players progressing from youth squads to the senior team to adapt and grow smoothly.

After his appointment, Coach Hudson shared: "I accepted the role because I felt everyone’s passion. My primary objective is to secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup, followed by helping players take pride in the national team and making Thai football fans proud of their performances."

“It is crucial to establish a unified direction for all teams, both culturally and in terms of professional standards. Regardless of age, players will share a common mindset and style of play,” Hudson explained. He stressed that the “Thai football identity” must be clear and consistently maintained at every level, so players advancing from youth to senior teams can easily adjust and continue developing.

The English coach concluded that building this system will not only improve the results of each team but also lay a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of Thai football in the future.