The Volleyball Association of Thailand has started its search for a successor for the national women's team coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, who is reportedly planning to step down at the end of this year.
However, key VAT official Shanrit Wongprasert is not worried, saying there are many qualified coaches in Thailand who can succeed Kiattipong.
Kiattipong, who has been instrumental in the success of the Thai women's team in the past decade, is reportedly planning to call it quits later this year.
Shanrit's comments, in a way, confirmed reports regarding Kiattipong's plans to part ways with the national team, who narrowly failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics last week.
Shanrit said: "We have many experienced coaches in Thailand. Some of them are even working abroad.
"I do not think Kiattipong's departure will be a major concern. There are many coaches wanting to take over this job."
Shanrit added that there will be some changes to the team after the Olympic qualfication tournament in Japan because half the current squad might retire soon.
"We need to ring in some changes because some veterans might quit and we must respect their decisions."
VAT president Somporn Chaybangyang said Kiattipong is committed to coach in the professional league in China and might not be able to focus on the Thai team, which will be looked after by assistant coach Nattapon Srisamutnak in Kiattipong's absence.
"Coach Ya [Nattapon] will take charge of the team when coach Odd [Kiattipong] is away," Somporn said. "In fact, we do not have any binding contracts in place with the coaches."
