Phuket FC get new head coach ahead of next season

PHUKET: The Islanders, Phuket FC have secured a new Head Coach, with an official announcement expected to be made this Saturday.

Paniphon “Tu” Kerdyaem, a former coaching staff member of Thai Premier League team, Army United will fill the vacancy left by Anurak “June” Srikerd, who coached the struggling team in the final six matches of last season, and helped them avoid relegation.

On loan from his premier league contract team, Bangkok Glass, coach June was unable to continue with Phuket despite pleads from fans and team executives for him to lead the team in the 2013 season.

Fans do not have to worry anymore as the new coach has a reliable track record with his previous positions, having coached several division 2 regional teams including Kasetsart University FC, Loei City and Chachoengsao FC.

Most recently, he helped Army United finish runners up in this year’s Thai FA Cup (losing to Buriram United in the final) and the team finished in 10th place of the 18-team elite league.

Coach Tu recently told Thai Media (SMM Online): “I consider [myself] lucky… As soon as Army United canceled my contract, Phuket FC contacted me. Then I met with the club president, Pamuk Achiriyachai who told me all about the team’s plans and goals for next season.

“The main reason I accepted, was due to encouragement from Rawi Lorthong [Head of Cournot and Nash, the company that oversees Thai league champions Muang Thong United, Phuket FC’s ‘big brother’ team] and Paitoon Silapawisut [the personal secretary of Phuket FC president Pamuk Achiriyachai]… Moreover, I think it will be a good challenge.

“I promise to the Phuket people that my team and I will give it our everything to meet the goal of getting the team promoted to the Thai league.”

A spokesperson from Phuket FC told the Gazette that the club’s budget next season will be between 40 and 60 million baht.

— Steven Layne