MUANG THONG UNITED

Double-duty for new coach Fowler

Kitinan Sanguansak

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has been promoted to the role of player-coach at Thailand Premier League champions Muang Thong United.

The 36-year-old Englishman, who became the most high-profile player ever to join the domestic league when he signed a one-year deal with Muang Thong in July, has been put in charge of the team following Thursday's departure of Portuguese trainer Henrique Calisto.

Muang Thong's exit from the AFC Cup following a 1-0 aggregate loss to Kuwait SC in the quarterfinals left former Vietnam national team coach Calisto in an untenable position, given that his side - currently in third place, 12 points behind leaders Buriram PEA - looks set to lose the league title.

The 57-year-old Calisto's fate was sealed when the ambitious Muang Thong club, who had their eyes fixed on continental glory, decided to terminate the Portuguese's contract by mutual agreement.

Calisto's departure sparked intense speculation about who would take up the hot seat at Muang Thong. The club, which had won back-to-back league titles, decided to go with what had initially seemed the fanciful idea of handing Fowler his first coaching role.

Muang Thong manager Ronnarit Suewaja yesterday confirmed that the former England striker - known simply as "God" to Koppites - would take charge of the team on a caretaker basis until the end of the current campaign.

"We've the urgent need to find a coach who is ready for the job, to ensure the continuity of our work and address our weaknesses immediately.

"Given his vast experience as a world-class player, having had the opportunity to work with several top managers and being with the team for the past three months, we believe Fowler can take the club forward. We're confident everyone associated with the club from the board and the fans will give him full support as ever," Ronnarit said.

Ronnarit defended the club's decision to part company with Calisto, who had been in charge of the team for only six months.

"We have to make a change in order to reach our long-term target. Certainly, the change is a step forward, not backward, for us. The club's goal is far from where we are today as we want to become one of the leading teams in the continent.

"To achieve that, we need a capable coach who can make an overhaul of the team in every aspect. I want our fans to support this new change of the team set-up," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-01

Truely world class striker in his day.

What substance do Muang Thong use for marking the lines of their pitch?

What's the contractual stipulations on him being found with his pants round his ankles in Afterskool?

Fowler's doing fine so far as player-manager. Got his first goal finally, as well, last week.