Masatada Ishii has been fired as Thailand national team coach, the Football Association of Thailand announced on Tuesday citing the side’s performances in their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei during the international window.
The 58-year-old, who led Kashima Antlers to the J1 League title in 2016 and won the Thai League 1 crown with Buriram United FC in 2022 and 2023, was removed from the role almost two years after he was appointed.
“The Football Association of Thailand announced the separation with Masatada Ishii, the head coach of the Thailand national team, following his work and team formation guidelines, which were not compatible with the association,” the FAT said in a statement.
Ishii replaced Mano Pölking at the helm in December 2023 and led the team to a runners-up finish in the 2024 ASEAN Championship, losing to Vietnam in the final.
The Thais missed out on a place in the fourth phase of Asia’s qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are currently in second place in the third round of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Thailand currently trail Turkmenistan in Group D on head-to-head record, with both teams on nine points from four matches.
Under Ishii, Thailand recorded back-to-back wins over Chinese Taipei earlier this month, winning 2-1 in Bangkok before notching up a 6-1 victory in Taipei.
Thailand’s next game will be against Sri Lanka in Colombo on November 18, with their final AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan in Bangkok on March 31.
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