Chiangmai United became the first T1 team to change their head coach this season, parting ways with Surapong Kongthep and appointing former Chiangrai boss Ailton Silva.

The White Elephants have had a rocky start to their debut top flight campaign, as they’ve picked up 5 points from 7 games and currently sit second from bottom in the league standings.

After their most recent defeat, a 2-0 loss at the hands of Ratchaburi, the side’s hierarchy decided to part ways with head coach Surapong Kongthep. The 42-year-old had only been in charge from the start of the current season, after replacing Dennis Amato has head coach.

In Surapong’s stead, the Northerners have appointed Ailton Silva, who won the Thai League in 2019 as the head coach of Chiangrai United.

Having previously coached in the lower divisions of Brazilian football, Ailton arrived in Thailand as an assistant to Jose Alves Borges, who was appointed Chiangrai boss at the start of the 2019 season. He stepped into the hot-seat after Borges’ sudden departure, and led the side to an unlikely title triumph in what was his first season coaching outside his native Brazil.

The 54-year-old tactician then resigned at the end of the campaign, citing personal reasons and a desire to return to his homeland. After an almost two-year hiatus, Ailton has taken the opportunity to return to Thai football, with the target of steering the White Elephants away from the drop zone.

UPDATE: A reference to Ailton’s “first game in charge” was deleted, due to a lack of clarity surrounding when he will arrive and be able to take charge of the team amid travel restrictions.