Thailand sack manager Rajevac after India defeat

Milovan Rajevac has become the first managerial casualty of the 2019 Asian Cup after Thailand parted ways with the Serb following Sunday’s 4-1 drubbing to India.

Two goals from the prolific Sunil Chhetri and one each from Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua with just a Teerasil Dangda goal in reply saw the Thais’ Group A campaign get off to an awful start at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Rajevac took charge of Thailand in April 2017 after spells with both Qatar and Algeria. He also famously guided Ghana to the last eight of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Rajevac was already under pressure going into the tournament after Thailand failed to defend their Asean Football Federation Championship title in December, has paid for the heavy defeat with his job.

“I hereby announce the suspension of Milovan Rajevac’s contract as coach of the national team,” Football Association of Thailand President Somyot Poompanmoung said in a statement.

Thailand, appearing for the first time since co-hosting the Asian Cup in 2007, have now won just one of 21 games at the continent’s showcase competition.

“The result [against India] is not what is expected of the Thai national team and that our supporters deserve,” he added. “Like all Thai football fans across the country, I am also disappointed with the result. But as the President of the Football Association, I cannot stand still with this problem.”

Rajevac’s assistant, Sirisak Yodyardthai, has been put in interim charge of Thailand, who are bottom of Group A and play Bahrain on Thursday. India, playing at their first Asian Cup since 2011, top the group with three points, ahead of Bahrain and the hosts UAE who are tied on a point apiece.