Zico exit ‘a shame’, says Port club boss
Jadet appointed as team coach again
In the wake of former national team coach Kiatisak Senamuang’s departure after a dismal run of form, Thai League 1 side Port have gone back to the man they shouldn’t have moved to an inactive post in the first place.
Port, who have dropped to 13th place in the top flight, yesterday reappointed Jadet Meelarp as coach of the team.
Kiatisak’s forgettable stint as the coach of Port ended on Wednesday night when his men lost 3-1 at home to a resurgent Chonburi side.
Kiatisak took over as Port coach in June, replacing Jadet, and in his 10 matches in charge of the club, he was able to win only one match, drawing three and losing six in the process.
Port yesterday announced that Jadet is returning as the team coach and will manage the team against Pattaya United at Nong Prue stadium in Pattaya on Sunday.
When Kiatisak took over as the team coach, Jadet was appointed the technical chairman of the club.
Port president Nualphan Lamsam, in her first public reaction to Kiatisak’s resignation, said on her Instagram account: “Thank you for all the support. And thank you for all of your opinions.
“I have to say it’s a shame that Zico has decided to end his role as Port coach. Zico is a hard worker and he has given his all to the team.
“No-one wanted this to happen. “I admire him for shouldering responsibility for our team’s poor results. He is a talented man and he still has a lot to offer Thai football.
“So thank you ‘brother’ for having the guts to join me at this club and taking on this job. Our friendship still remains no matter what happens!
“I have to also thank all Port fans for their support. Thank you for standing by me and the team through all these times. I will try to do my best. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Kiatisak, nicknamed “Zico” by the Thai fans for his exploits as a national team striker, said after announcing his resignation on Wednesday night: “I want the team to move forward.
“I have to shoulder responsibility as promised. I thought I would review my performance at the end of the season but the fans could not wait.”
Kiatisak was heavily criticised by a growing number of dissatisfied Port team fans as they ran out of patience because of a lack of progress under the former national team boss.
Kiatisak had put his job on the line if his men failed to beat Chonburi.
“We have made mistakes in several matches but the coach has to shoulder responsibility. If we can’t beat Chonburi, I will submit my resignation,” he told a prematch news conference on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a brilliant hat-trick by Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes helped defending champions SCG Muang Thong United trounce third-place Bangkok United at home in a late Thai League 1 clash on Wednesday night.
Teerasil Dangda scored the first goal for the Kirins in the 38th minute before Fernandes turned it into a one-man show, netting three unanswered goals in the second half.
At I-Mobile Stadium, hosts Buriram United saw on-song Jakson Coelho produce the winning goal late in the match to edge Bangkok Glass 1-0.
Buriram United retained their place at the top of the league table, leading Muang Thong by six points. Buriram’s total now stands at 68 points.
In other matches on Wednesday, Si Sa Ket FC lost 3-0 to Ratchaburi FC; Ubon UMT United drew 1-1 with Police Tero FC; and Thai Honda and Pattaya United played to a goalless draw.
STANDINGS P W D L GF GA Pts Buriram 28 21 5 2 68 18 68 Muang Thong 28 19 5 4 72 24 62 Bangkok Utd 28 18 2 8 81 48 56 Chiang Rai 28 16 4 8 58 33 52 Bangkok Glass 28 15 6 7 54 33 51 Chonburi 28 14 6 8 49 48 48 Ratchaburi 28 13 7 8 52 39 46 Pattaya 28 12 4 12 44 41 40 Ubon 28 9 10 9 45 45 37 Police Tero 28 9 8 11 37 39 35 Suphanburi 28 9 8 11 43 49 35 Navy 28 8 10 10 35 41 34 Port 28 9 7 12 40 53 34 N Ratchasima 28 7 10 11 34 40 31 Sukhothai 28 7 8 13 45 56 29 Si Sa Ket 28 6 5 17 34 66 23 Thai Honda 28 6 2 20 31 58 20 Super Power 28 0 1 27 22 113 1