BANGKOK (AP) – Thailand hired former New Zealand international and Colorado Rapids coach Anthony Hudson to coach its men’s soccer team on Wednesday, a day after firing Japanese tactician Masatada Ishii.
So was Hudson. Interim coach of the U.S. men’s soccer team Since last year, he has been serving as the Thai Football Association’s technical development director for four months starting in 2023.
“At this critical time, we need someone with a thorough understanding of Thai football,” association president Nuarphan Ramsam said in a statement. “Anthony Hudson has worked with associations at all levels and has extensive international experience.”
Hudson, 44, coached New Zealand from 2014 to 2017. He resigned a week after the All Whites lost to Peru in the 2018 World Cup intercontinental qualifying playoffs.
Hudson, the son of former Chelsea star Alan Hudson, coached MLS side Rapids from late 2017 to May 2019.
Hudson’s first match will be against Sri Lanka in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in November. Thailand is in second place in Group D, which consists of four teams. Only group winners will advance to the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
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