Worawi Makudi has moved quickly after his re-election as FAT president to fill the vacant national team manager’s job. Despite plenty of debate the top job end up going to Winfried Schaefer, the German tactician best known for leading Cameroon to the 2002 World Cup. The 61 year-old has agreed to sign a three year contract and his first task will be to guide the Elephants through a potentially tricky two-legged 2014 World Cup qualifying tie against either Palestine or Afghanistan in July.
He beat off some stiff competition from Philippe Troussier, the widely-travelled 56 year-old Frenchman who coached the Japan national team at the 2002 World Cup. Schaefer certainly has the credentials having coached all over the world and could be an inspired choice by Worawi but, as with any foreign coach, it all depends on how well he can adapt to the Thai way of doing things. Meanwhile Muangthong fans will be pleased that the rumor linking their coach, Henrique Calisto with the job turned out to be just that.

This Weekend's Games
We’re still on the mid-season break from the TPL, but the capital clubs are in action as Muangthong and Army look to catch up on missed games. Army United host the Sharks of Chonburi at 6pm on Saturday at the Army Stadium in Din Daeng (TRUE 102). The Soldiers will be back up to fifth if they win whilst Chonburi could put daylight between themselves and the rest if they can claim the three points. On Sunday, Muangthong can move into second if Chonburi fail to win and the Twin Qilins can overcome mid-table Sisaket at the Yamaha Stadium in Nonthaburi (6pm, TRUE 102).

In Division 1 on Saturday, there’s a Bangkok derby at the Thupatemi Stadium in Pathum Thani as Air Force United host Bangkok F.C (6pm). And on Sunday, JW Rangsit are at home to PTT Rayong, also at the Thupatemi Stadium (4pm).