Thailand caretaker coach Sirisak Yodyardthai and his assistant Choketawee Promrut have expressed their interest in taking over the reins of the War Elephants on a full-time basis.
The duo steered Thailand to the knockout stages of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The Thais bowed out in the last 16 round on Sunday following a 2-1 loss to China.
The 49-year-old Sirisak was appointed as interim coach of the national team after the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) sacked Serbian manager Milovan Rajevac following a 4-1 defeat to India in their Jan 6 Group A opener.
Under Sirisak, also known as 'Coach Toei' in Thai football circles, the War Elephants revived their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain, followed by a 1-1 draw with the hosts that gave them the second spot in the group and a place in the last 16 round.
Both Sirisak and Choketawee yesterday attended an FAT meeting chaired by its president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang to chart out the courses of action for different national squads.
Somyot spurned the calls for hiring a Japanese or South Korean coach for the senior national team, saying they are "disciplinarians".
"A new contract for us didn't come up for discussion and there will be a separate meeting soon to deal with the matter," said Sirisak.
"Both myself and Choketawee are ready to work for the national team. I don't have a pro-licence yet but I am in the second batch, so I will start taking the course at the end of this month."
Choketawee also echoed Sirisak's sentiments.
"Right now, I am ready to continue my work with the Thai national team and, after the Asian Cup, I am more experienced," he said. "I believe that if we can lay a strong foundation for young players, the future Thai national teams will be stronger."
Sirisak has worked as coach of Thai Honda but failed to keep them in Thai League 1. Choketawee was the coach of the Thai team that won the gold at the 2015 SEA Games.
