Malaysia futsal team coach unexpectedly appointed as head coach of Thailand national team

Rakphol Sainetngam, previously the head coach of Malaysia’s futsal team, has been formally named the new head coach for Thailand’s futsal squad.

According to information published by SNE Sports, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has completed all necessary procedures and decided to place their trust in 46-year-old Rakphol Sainetngam, who is highly regarded for his practical experience and significant impact in Southeast Asia. His official introduction as head coach of Thailand’s futsal team is scheduled for January 5th during a dedicated press conference organized by FAT.

The decision to appoint Rakphol came shortly after Miguel Rodrigo, the Spanish coach who had been closely associated with Thailand futsal for many years, announced his retirement. Rodrigo’s departure left a major gap in the coaching staff, compelling FAT to swiftly find a candidate familiar with regional futsal and capable enough to maintain Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s leading futsal nations.

Among the candidates, Rakphol Sainetngam emerged as the top choice. Not only did he spend two years working previously with Thailand’s futsal team, he also gained significant recognition when he took charge of Malaysia’s futsal team. Under Rakphol’s leadership, Malaysia’s futsal team made remarkable progress in both results and style of play, earning high praise from regional experts.

Specifically, Rakphol led Malaysia’s futsal team to qualify for the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship and secured a bronze medal at the 2025 SEA Games. Beyond that, his tactical influence and youth development efforts were evident when Malaysia’s U19 futsal team achieved third place at the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 Futsal Championship.

These achievements convinced FAT that Rakphol Sainetngam is the right person to carry on the legacy left by Miguel Rodrigo. Appointing a coach with extensive regional experience is seen as a practical move for Thailand futsal, especially as rivals like Iran, Japan, and Uzbekistan are investing heavily and closing the skill gap.