Madam Pang refuses resignation of Thailand women's team coach

Madam Pang rejected coach Futoshi Ikeda's resignation. Photo: Madam Pang .

"We believe that we need more patience at this time. Mr. Ikeda will continue to lead the Thai women's team at the AFF Cup and SEA Games. The preparation time for these two tournaments is very urgent, so changing the coach will cause more disruption," Madam Pang shared after a meeting with the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) on the evening of July 7.

Coach Ikeda volunteer resigned after the Thai women's team lost 1-2 to India. This defeat leaves Thailand in second place in Group B, thereby losing their tickets to the 2026 Asian Cup finals.

However, FAT decided to retain the coach who helped the Japanese women's team reach the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Cup. According to her, this is not the right time to change, especially when the team has two important tournaments in the next 4 months, including the 2025 AFF Cup and the 33rd SEA Games.

By retaining coach Ikeda, the head of FAT asked him to complete the championship target in the two arenas above. Including the AFF Cup in August and winning the 33rd SEA Games gold medal at home at the end of the year.

At the 2025 AFF Cup, the Thai women's team is in Group A with Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. The tournament will take place from August 6 to 19 at two stadiums in Viet Tri and Hai Phong . At the 33rd SEA Games held at home in December, Madam Pang aims to help the Thai women's team regain the women's football gold medal, after 4 consecutive SEA Games where the Vietnamese women's team dominated.

Madam Pang also revealed that many former Thai women's players are willing to return to support the team. "I have talked to many veteran female players who participated in the World Cup, they said that they are willing to return in any role to help Thai women's football to find themselves again. I believe this determination will help Thai women's football gradually revive," Madam Pang emphasized.

Source: https://znews.vn/madam-pang-tu-choi-don-tu-chuc-cua-coach-tuyen-nu-thai-lan-post1566946.html