Former Thai star striker Kiatisuk Senamuang will return to Vietnam to coach Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the V-League 2010, according to the club’s chairman Doan Nguyen Duc.

Former Thai star striker Kiatisuk Senamuang.

Over one month after V-League 2009 closed, one of the richest football clubs in Vietnam has named its new chief coach.

Last season Hoang Anh Gia Lai used two Thai coaches, Chatchai and Dusit. Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc tried to convince former player Kiatisuk to return but he was busy with Chonburi.

Joining Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2002, Kiatisuk contributed significantly to the team in his five years there. With Kiatisuk, Hoang Anh Gia Lai claimed the V-League championship in 2003 and 2004 while Kiatisuk was also honored as the best player and best foreign player.

Before leaving Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2006, he worked as the team’s chief coach for a period of time. He is now director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Thailand and the coach of Thailand’s Chonburi club, which entered the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup 2009.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai will convene on October 10 under the guidance of Dusit to prepare for a football tournament in Thailand and Cambodia. After the Thai Football Championship finishes in November, Kiatisuk will become the chief coach of Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

The club’s technical director Nguyen Van Vinh has left after nine years while striker Phan Thanh Binh is transferred to Dong Tam Long Anh. Hoang Anh Gia Lai also ended its contracts with two foreign players from Africa, Cesar and Moustapha.

VietNamNet/VNE