Thai job awaits

Reid: off to Thailand

It's going to be difficult, having looked at a few videos, scoring goals because they don't like sticking crosses in or being positive in terms of hitting the back of the net, they like playing nice pretty stuff...I'll get that out of them though!

Peter Reid
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Peter Reid told Goals on Sunday that he couldn't wait to start his new job as the coach of the Thailand national team.

The former Sunderland and Manchester City boss has been out of work since leaving Coventry City in 2005 and revealed he was looking forward to the challenge of becoming an international manager when he joined Sam Allardyce on the first Goals on Sunday of the new season.

"I haven't officially signed, but the deal's done and the lawyers are looking over it now," he said. "I'm due to go over on the 27th August and start work on the 1st September and I'm looking forward to it.

"It's a different culture and a different type of football as an international manager, so it will be a challenge and I think I might have to get an interpreter because I can't even speak English!"

However Reid, who last year turned down the opportunity to manage Iran, will not be the first English manager to ever coach Thailand as he follows in the footsteps of Peter Withe.

The former Sheffield United and Aston Villa player spent four years as Thailand's head coach and Reid revealed that he had already been a massive help to him.

Successful

"I've spoken to Peter Withe who was their most successful coach and he had a great time out there. I think he had four years there and he gave me a lot of advice when I spoke to him which is terrific.

"But it's like a blank sheet of paper and I've got to go in and see things (for myself), but he has given me some invaluable advice.

"He said technically the players are good and can handle a football, but he said you've got to get them organised. There's a bit of lack of discipline when defending from dead ball situations and also the other side when they try to attack them.

"They like getting hold of the ball and playing little one-two's and nutmegs, Sam's kind of football, but what you've got to do is to try and get them organised and try to play a system and then let them play.

"But it's going to be difficult, having looked at a few videos, scoring goals because they don't like sticking crosses in or being positive in terms of hitting the back of the net, they like playing nice pretty stuff...I'll get that out of them though!"

Time

The Thai FA, who were seeking a replacement for Charnwit Polcheewin who resigned after Thailand failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, have set Reid a target of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

And the former Everton midfielder revealed he was pleased with the amount of time he was going to be given to achieve their goals.

"They want to try and get a young side coming up for the 2014 World Cup, believe it or not," he said. "So they've given me time, they've given me four years and it's something that I'm looking forward to."