pro football coach

**keegan** · 15th October 2009 21:57

been here nearly 11 years. teaching all that time.
never thought it would change....in fact still enjoy it.
out of the blue, a new job here in thai
football coach.
paying 4 times my teaching salary!!!!!!!
things can change, and quickly
was in the process of looking for a m/e job to bolster retirement funds.
contacted chiang rai united...and wallah.
unreal.
to go with that, my school have offered me my job , teaching 8 hours a week, with a midday knock off, for the same money, including holiday pay and w/p.
not religious, but, might be starting to believe in something out there.

i am one lucky man....great jobs now, great wife, nice home, and no longer having to think about getting out of los to survive old age......over the moon

**Amanpour** · 15th October 2009 22:00

Congratulations, I hope it works out

**Cantona** · 15th October 2009 22:31

Nice job Keegan

**stfranalum** · 15th October 2009 22:47

hell yeah!

coaching is a bit rough though....one of those jobs that can disappear after 2 bad seasons though- or not- even if your management or style was good. it can be ruthlessly political too.

its such a toss up.

regardless, if its your passion, the game, any time doing it is a great thing. i wish you the best of luck.

you now have all of us as fans!!!

GO CHAING RAI UNITED!!

...now who's their rival, and who can we beat up for supporting them?

**Amanpour** · 15th October 2009 22:53

No quitting though Keegan

**manned-rake** · 15th October 2009 22:55

Sounds great!

**natalie8** · 15th October 2009 23:08

Great stuff, keegan. I know how much you love the game and the coaching. I think I can only go to Thailand, namely BKK / CM / CR in early 2011. Will I see your face all over posters in town?

**jimbo** · 15th October 2009 23:19

Great news Keegan. Wonderful for you!

**Capricious** · 16th October 2009 05:40

Congrats mate, sounds lovely.

**aging one** · 16th October 2009 08:59

You just added to a great day for me Keegan!!! The kids birthday and you getting hired as a football coach. Cheers bro.....

**crew** · 16th October 2009 09:42

That's one of the coolest OPs I've seen on AF. Good for you Keegan. I'll be watching for the pink elephants to move up to Div I next year.

Here's some more about the team from Wiki:
Chiangmai United - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**8ball** · 16th October 2009 09:53

Congrats keegan,,,,,,,,sounds like ur well sorted

pls post about how it goes

Originally Posted by crew

Here's some more about the team from Wiki:
Chiangmai United - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chiang Rai lar,,,,

Originally Posted by aging one

The kids birthday

pls wish V & K Many Happy Returns from me bro

**Johnh** · 16th October 2009 10:11

Keegan - great news - You never know...today, Chaing Rai United...tomorrow, England...

**Logic Dictates** · 16th October 2009 10:28

Originally Posted by keegan

been here nearly 11 years. teaching all that time.
never thought it would change....in fact still enjoy it.
out of the blue, a new job here in thai
football coach.
paying 4 times my teaching salary!!!!!!!

Congrats. Sorry it took you 11 years.

Anyone that wants to stay here and doesn't totally love teaching should definitely be using teaching as a stepping stone. There are lots of Thai organizations that would love to hire foreigners. My organization didn't think they could hire a foreigner with a graduate degree at a Thai pay rate. I am happy they took the chance.

Also, you have to be reasonable and flexible. I had to end up paying for my immigration paperwork fees. I don't like it but am looking at this job as just another stepping stone of my career here in Thailand. In fact, I think once you get into working here in Thailand in fields where foreigners aren't as common that you have the potential to advance quite quickly.

**banjo** · 16th October 2009 11:56

Congratulations. You've got a good team to coach too. For those who don't know, they won the second division this year, and finished the season unbeaten. The owner has high hopes for them and has spent a lot of money (by Thai standards) on players.