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Thailand parts ways with coach Ishii. Photo: Changsuek

Coaching turmoil

As the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers approach their final stages, the landscape of Southeast Asian football has become increasingly chaotic.

The national teams of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia - three countries that had long expressed strong ambitions of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which has expanded to 48 teams - are now embroiled in internal crises, casting doubt on their paths forward.

Thailand recently announced the departure of head coach Masatada Ishii, who had led the national team since December 2023.

Under Ishii, Thailand played 30 official matches, winning 16, for a win rate of 53%. However, their underwhelming performance in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers failed to meet the expectations of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).

The decision to terminate his contract was made during a meeting on October 21, citing a “misalignment between the national team’s development strategy and the new coaching direction.”

The move sparked surprise, given Thailand’s reputation for coaching stability and Ishii’s close ties with FAT President and billionaire Madam Pang (Nualphan Lamsam).

Indonesia’s situation isn’t much brighter. Just days before Thailand’s coaching shake-up, Patrick Kluivert was dismissed after a brief tenure leading the Garuda squad through a disastrous run of losses in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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Indonesia dismisses coach Kluivert. Photo: Kompas

The Dutch coach, though considered approachable by players, failed to deliver the rapid progress expected from a team bolstered by a wave of naturalized talent.

Now, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) faces the urgent task of appointing a capable replacement who can immediately adapt to the international schedule and lead the team into the ASEAN Cup 2026 and Asian Cup 2027 campaigns.

Malaysia’s troubles

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Malaysia sanctioned by FIFA. Photo: FAM

Malaysia, meanwhile, has drawn significant attention after being sanctioned by FIFA for allegedly falsifying the documents of seven naturalized players - a case still pending appeal.

FIFA’s ruling casts a shadow not only over the team's recent results but also raises serious concerns about transparency and governance within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

The incident has sparked heated debate in both Malaysian and international football circles, while the players and coaching staff are now under immense pressure - not only to perform under scrutiny but also to rebuild trust with their fans.

With each team facing its own unique challenges - frequent coaching changes, naturalization scandals, and internal conflicts - the region’s three major football powers are caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty ahead of the region’s most crucial tournaments.

In the midst of this instability, other teams in the region, such as Vietnam, are watching closely, hoping to learn from the turmoil and reinforce their own squad development and management structures.

As change sweeps across the region, the ASEAN Cup 2026 emerges as the next big goal. There is a proposal to move the tournament from its usual year-end slot to the summer, transforming it into a more significant regional event.

At this competition, success will not only depend on tactics and technique, but also on the transparency, governance, and resilience of each football federation.

Chaos is currently engulfing Southeast Asian football, and what were once strengths are now turning into burdens.

Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia must now take it upon themselves to restore stability.

Following Ishii’s departure, the FAT appointed Anthony Hudson, the federation’s Technical Director, as Thailand’s new head coach.

His appointment was expedited to ensure continuity in the team’s preparations for their upcoming November fixtures, including a friendly against Singapore on November 13 and an away match against Sri Lanka on November 18 as part of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Ngoc Huy