Ticktock: deadline looms for Kiatisak to resign

The former national striker’s future has been the subject of intense media speculation ever since he led the Kingdom to its record-breaking fifth Asean Championship title in December. 
The two parties repeatedly said they expected no problem in reaching an agreement to prolong Kiatisak’s stay in the job but the negotiation appears to have hit a stumbling block, as Somyot confirmed he had already tabled a new contract for the 43-year-old coach last month.
Kiatisak is credited with orchestrating Thailand’s recent renaissance after years of underachievement. 
It emerged that the two parities were at the loggerheads over the terms of the contract, as Kiatisak’s camp wants the association to take care of the coach’s tax burden that would arise during the new deal. The FA refused to accept that and warned it would appoint somebody else unless Kiatisak put pen to paper by the end of this month.
“February 28 is the deadline to sign a contract,” Somyot said. “We’ve talked for over a month. There’s been progress but we’re unable to get it signed yet. I can’t let things go on like this since we have a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on March 23. 
“It would give us such a short time [to prepare for the match] if we let this situation continue. It would have a detrimental effect on the team’s preparations.
“We have certain conditions that we can accept. We’re ready to extend his contract. However, if he fails to sign on February 28 [Tuesday], I’m ready to find a replacement. I have nothing personnel but I’ve been made to wait for more than a month … there’s no reply yet. 
“I just can’t let it go on because if anything happens I would be the person who has to take responsibility. That’s why I have to set a deadline. The negotiations between the two sides’ legal teams have taken place for a while and there should be clarity on the matter now, otherwise we won’t be able to work.” 

Somyot insisted the association offered a “fair” contract to Kiatisak, who has been in the post since 2013, which culminated in Thailand winning the SEA Games and the Asean Championship twice apiece. 
“Nothing is a problem. We all have to protect our own benefit and we, the association, are no different,” the FA boss said. “All the terms we included in the contract are based on justice, fairness and accountability as we must be able to give answers to the public.
“It’s not like we did it all ourselves. We followed the same pattern as did overseas when preparing a contract.
“It’s just a question of whether you like it or not. The association is the employer so we need to set what the employee is required to do. The employee just needs to fulfil that. If they can accept it we would be able to work together. If not, we simply can’t do so.”
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the conference to unveil the national team’s new outfit on Monday, Kiatisak did little to offer hope that he will sign the contract.
“It all depends on the legal team,” he said. “There are still a few issues we need to sort out about the contract. If everything is okay I would sign it. 
“I don’t have anything [against a new deal]. In the end, they just don’t let us amend the contract, which needs to be fair for both parties.”