Sunday Xpress's Jintana Panyaarvudh and Kitinan Sanguansak talk to former national football captain Kiattisak 'zico' Senamuang about how he would use his international experience to bring Thailand up to world-class status

Why did you return to football as the coach of Chula-Sinthana in the Thai premier league after retiring as a player?

After I retired from the national team I kept in touch with the game, organising youth tournaments in Thailand. Many clubs approached me to play or coach. I think [coaching] is interesting. My experience as an international player and coach could help me do a lot for this club, and it may also be a step towards becoming a national coach.

Why Chula-Sinthana?

I played for Chula in the annual Chula-Thammasat games. I wanted to pay it back. It's challenging because the team's future is uncertain. It's the 14th out of 16 clubs in the league ranking. The team is new and not too big. The bigger the team, the more the pressure. If you can keep a small team out of danger it boosts your confidence.

As a coach, I would like to make the game more interesting and colourful, so other players are inspired to become coaches after they have retired.

My goal is to keep the club in the premier league and finish high in the league table.

If the national coach Chanvit Pholchivin quits because of a poor showing in the World Cup qualifiers, would you be interested in taking over?

Every coach wants to manage the national squad. Me, I'm ready any time. Nobody has approached me, though. I've taken coaching courses, and I coached in Vietnam for two years.

What would you do if appointed?

I'd make the team better and take it further. I'd take them to the Olympics, the Asian Games and the World Youth championship.

Our problem, I think, is that the targets we set are far too ambitious. We eye only the big tournaments, like the World Cup, because they're more famous and valuable. Actually, teams that qualify for the World Cup normally succeed at youth level first.

I want to make football more entertaining and attract more spectators. I want the players to play as I played. I want the Thai youth team to reach the top first.

What's wrong with the national squad?

The national players have the ability, but the formation and system are not diverse enough. We need to attack and defend faster. Mostly, we play as individuals and not as a team. In the past we hoped our superstars would win for us, but once they were injured the game was over. The subs should be as good as the first team.

How can Thailand reach the world championship?

We have to play friendly matches with top teams like South Korea, Japan and the US. We have to build up players' fitness and make them more professional.

We have to have good trainers, therapists and fitness experts.

Funding and good management are important. At the moment the team's only got good players and a coach.

Has the government done enough?

Japan and Saudi Arabia spent Bt1 billion to help their teams qualify for the World Cup. We spent Bt10 million, but more money doesn't make winners. You have to be professional, too.

We have to have a national football culture, just as England does.