Thailand appoints English technical director as new national team head coach

By Hieu Luong October 22, 2025 | 04:46 pm PT

Anthony Hudson has been chosen by the Football Association of Thailand to replace Masatada Ishii as the national team head coach. Photo by FAT

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has appointed technical director Anthony Hudson as the new national team head coach, one day after dismissing Masatada Ishii.

FAT president Madam Pang said Hudson was the right choice at this moment.

"At this crucial time, we need someone who understands Thai football thoroughly," Madam Pang said, as quoted by ESPN. "Anthony Hudson has worked with the association at every level and has extensive international experience."

Hudson has coached Bahrain (2013–2014), New Zealand (2014–2017) and served as interim coach of the U.S. in 2023. In February 2025, he was appointed to coach Thai club BG Pathum United and after the 2024–25 season he moved into FAT as the technical director.

The change comes just one day after coach Ishii was sacked. The abrupt dismissal prompted a strong response from the Japanese coach, who accused FAT leadership of being "dishonest". Fans and pundits also criticized the timing and handling of the federation.

Hudson’s immediate task is to guide Thailand through the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Thailand sit second in Group D with nine points, level with Turkmenistan but behind on head-to-head record following a 1-3 loss.

Hudson will make his debut on Nov. 13 in a friendly against Singapore at Thammasat Stadium. Five days later, Thailand will travel to Sri Lanka for another 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers match. Sri Lanka sit three points behind Thailand but field a squad that includes several naturalized players.

Born in 1981, Hudson is the son of former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Alan Hudson. His career as a footballer was brief as he retired at 27 after spells at West Ham United and American semi-pro club Wilmington Hammerheads.

Hudson began his coaching career in the U.S., leading Real Maryland Monarchs to a strong finish in 2009. He later took charge of Tottenham Hotspur’s reserve team and had a short spell at Newport County in 2011. That year, he also became one of the youngest coaches to obtain the UEFA Pro License.

His international coaching resume includes leading Bahrain to the 2015 Asian Cup qualification and guiding New Zealand to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In January 2021, Hudson worked as an assistant coach to Gregg Berhalter at the U.S. national team. Together, they won the CONCACAF Nations League and qualified for the 2022 World Cup. After that, he became the interim coach from January to May 2023.

At club level, he has managed in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids (2017–2019) and taken roles in Qatar with Al Markhiya and Al Arabi. His most recent club spell before joining FAT was at BG Pathum United.