Park Hang Seo: 'I want to prove that Korean coaches are capable of succeeding in Thailand'

More than three years after stepping down as head coach of Vietnam, Park Hang Seo has made a formal comeback to coaching, taking charge of Kanchanaburi FC, a team in Thai League 2.

In his latest conversation with the club, the South Korean tactician for the first time explained in detail the reasons behind his change of heart after a long period of rejecting coaching offers.

Coach Park Hang Seo stated that after leaving the Vietnam national team, he no longer considered continuing his managerial career.

"Over the past three years, I received many offers from clubs in South Korea and Southeast Asia, but I turned them all down because I wasn't ready to face the pressure of coaching again."

The turning point came only when Kanchanaburi FC took the initiative to approach him. According to Park Hang Seo, during the initial discussions, he had no intention of accepting. However, the persistence and sincerity of the club's leadership, especially the chairman, made a difference.

The 68-year-old manager said that the trust Kanchanaburi placed in him changed his mindset, leading him to decide to take on a new challenge in an entirely different environment.

Additionally, Coach Park revealed a professional motivation. He observed that Thai football has many Japanese coaches working, while South Korean coaches are almost absent. Therefore, he wants to demonstrate that Korean coaches have the ability to meet professional standards and make their mark in the Land of the Golden Temple.

"That is also one of the reasons I decided to accept the offer to lead Kanchanaburi FC," Coach Park shared.

The strategist who led Vietnam to win the 2018 AFF Cup also had high praise for the local area where the club is based. Before arriving in Kanchanaburi, he imagined it would be just a peaceful rural region. However, his actual experience left a very positive impression.

According to Coach Park, he received a warm welcome from both the local people and the club members. The care and trust shown by everyone only strengthened his determination to turn Kanchanaburi into a competitive squad.

"I want to make Kanchanaburi FC an outstanding team," Coach Park emphasized.

Returning to the coaching bench not only opens a new chapter in Park Hang Seo's career but also draws attention from fans across Southeast Asia.

With his track record of success with Vietnamese football, the South Korean tactician is expected to help Kanchanaburi achieve their goal of competing for promotion, while also affirming the presence of Korean coaches in Thai football.