MaAnn has stated that the appointment of Coach Odd, voted Division 2’s Best Coach in 2010 after taking Nara United FC to Division 1, comes as he believes he has the potential to do the same with Phuket FC.
MaAnn also said that he wants everybody in Phuket, and not only those born here but also living here, to become a part of the team.
“I will try to bring every leader of our local community to come to help us manage the team. I want everyone to be proud to be a part of the Phuket FC team,” he said.
Since taking over as president, MaAnn has already started setting up a new team and has being holding trials at the club’s home ground, Surakul Stadium, over the past two days. However, MaAnn has his own guidelines which he hopes will build up the team as quick as possible.
“We do not have much time to get ourselves ready for the coming season so my plan is to bring some players, about 40 per cent of the team, from Satun FC and Nara United. The remaining 60pc will be new recruits from Phuket.
“These players have already come for trials at Surakul Stadium on Tuesday (Jan 6) and Wednesday (Jan 7),” MaAnn explained to The Phuket News.
“We don't have any plan to buy any foreign players yet,” he added.
As for the budget required to keep the team afloat throughout the 2016 season, MaAnn said that he has already gained the support of his friends and people involved in the private sector to help raise the required funds which will between B8 to B10 million.
“But we do still need more, and on Valentine’s Day we will have a very big concert featuring leading Thai bands ‘Sweet Mullet’, ‘Big Ass’ and ‘Lambanoon’ which will be held at Saphan Hin Football Stadium to raise some money for the team,” he explained.
However, MaAnn also went on to say that he has real intentions of bringing Phuket FC back to League 1 as soon as possible, but he knows it is not easy and there are many factors involved.
“It is my idea to develop players from a young age to become professional footballers. I would like to see a local league set up in Phuket for young teams, this will help develop the players and help to make their dreams become reality,” MaAnn said.