From The Pitch to Life
From Musician to AFC Pro-License Coach
"I never knew I could speak English."
"They called me into the room, and I told them I needed an interpreter. They said, 'You don’t need one.' I replied, 'But I can’t speak English.' And they responded, 'Well, you’re talking to me right now, aren’t you? Isn’t this English?'"
That moment changed his life forever.
At 37 years old, Coach Chayakorn "Chum" Thanadenkhao is now an AFC Pro-License football coach. His journey, however, has been anything but conventional.
"I’ve told this story countless times, and I never get tired of it."
The gleam in his eyes and his animated expressions show just how much this defining moment meant to him.
A Football Legacy and a Name That Stands Out
Unlike many Thai coaches, Coach Chum carries a distinct presence—tall, rugged, with a bit of a "bad boy" aura. His name, "Chum," often confuses people, but he explains that it’s his given name, chosen by his grandmother, and not a nickname derived from anything else.
Born into a football family, his father was once a Thai national team player before transitioning into refereeing. He later became a FIFA-certified referee, one of Thailand’s most respected match officials, and even after retirement, he remained involved in football as a match commissioner.
Naturally, Chum grew up immersed in the sport, following his father to games and watching him both as a player and an official. Football wasn’t just a game in his household—it was part of his DNA.
With his father’s influence, Chum developed solid football skills from a young age, representing his school in tournaments at all levels. His path seemed clear—a future in professional football was almost inevitable.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The Turning Point: From Football to Music
As a teenager, Chum lost his passion for football. Around the same time, music entered his life, captivating him in ways football no longer did.
His aspirations shifted. He slowly distanced himself from both academics and football, immersing himself entirely in music. Eventually, he left football behind altogether and became a full-time musician.
On the football pitch, he played center-back. In a band, he found himself at the back again—behind the drums.
What started as a hobby became his career for over a decade.
But something felt off.
A Decade of Music… and Burnout
Playing music night after night, year after year, Chum realized he was stuck in a cycle—playing the same songs in the same venues, with no creative freedom.
"Music is an art, but when you’re forced to play within set boundaries, it stops being fun."
He felt burned out and sought change.
With his nights occupied by music, his days were free, leading him to experiment with different ventures—running a noodle shop, opening a bar, selling bags—but nothing seemed to click.
Feeling lost and directionless, he had a realization:
"I had abandoned football, but football had never abandoned me."
Despite walking away from the game, it remained all around him—he still watched matches, followed his father to games, and kept up with football news.
It was time to return.
A Late Comeback to Football
At 28 years old, Chum made his way back into football, initially aiming to become an agent. However, without a university degree, he couldn’t take the required certification exam.
Then, his father asked him if he wanted to pursue coaching. The Football Association of Thailand was opening applications for the C-License coaching course, and Chum decided to give it a shot.
Once the course began, he discovered something surprising:
"Not only could I do this—I was actually good at it."
That sparked a new ambition.
After completing his C-License, he had another thought:
"I’m still young, I’m still in shape. Maybe I should give playing professionally another shot."
He tried out for a Thai Division 2 team and made the squad.
Realizing His True Calling: Coaching
While his skills were still there, the reality was different.
Having been away from competitive football for so long, his pace couldn’t keep up with younger players.
"I could still play, but I felt like I was always a step behind. It was too late to build a playing career."
Instead, he decided to focus on coaching, joining a Division 2 club as an assistant coach while continuing his coaching education.
Within a few years, he progressed from C-License to B-License, then A-License, and ultimately, Pro-License—the highest coaching qualification in Asia.
While attending these coaching courses, he learned from some of Thailand’s top football minds.
One of his biggest influences?
Coach "Tia" Sasom Pobprasert—known for his fiery personality and sharp tactical mind.
"People see Coach Tia as a loud, outspoken figure, but when I got to know him, I realized he was an incredible leader and motivator. That’s why his players fight so hard for him. I took a lot from his approach."
A Life-Changing Conversation with Dennis Amato
Chum actively sought every coaching opportunity he could find. One day, he came across a coaching course hosted by Bayern Munich’s Thai affiliate, STB (Sport Thai Bavaria).
During the training, Dennis Amato, a German coach with experience in Chai Nat and Sukhothai, called him in for a discussion.
That’s when Chum had his breakthrough moment:
"I told him I needed a translator. He said, ‘You don’t need one.’ I insisted, ‘But I can’t speak English.’ He just looked at me and said, ‘Well, you’re talking to me right now, aren’t you? Isn’t this English?’"
That single exchange completely shifted his perspective.
"I walked out of that room and realized—I could actually speak English. I just never had the confidence before."
From that moment, he became Dennis Amato’s assistant coach and translator, working closely with multiple German coaches who came through STB.
A Journey to European Football Education
As part of STB, Chum received valuable international exposure—traveling to Bayern Munich for coaching workshops and training sessions, expanding his knowledge far beyond what he had learned in Thailand.
These experiences reshaped his approach to football.
Eventually, he left STB to pursue coaching roles independently, which led him to his next major opportunity—working for the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
Working with Thailand’s Youth National Teams
Joining the FAT technical department, Chum became involved in multiple youth teams, working alongside Ekkono Method coaches, who were brought in to revamp Thailand’s football development structure.
He gained valuable insights from Carles Romagosa, the Spanish football expert leading Thailand’s technical programs, further refining his coaching philosophy.
One of his most notable roles was serving as head coach of Thailand’s U17 national team, nurturing future stars before passing the reins to "Sir-Jadet" Jadet Meelarp.
Additionally, he played a key role in FIFA-supported scouting programs, identifying young talents for Thailand’s future.
Building Thailand’s Football Future
Today, Coach Chum serves as Head of Youth Development for the Football Association of Thailand, working to expand grassroots programs, train new coaches, and create a sustainable football infrastructure.
Beyond his official roles, he actively shares football knowledge through social media platforms, believing that education should be accessible to all.
"Not everyone gets the same opportunities I had. If I can share what I’ve learned and help others, I will."
With his experience, passion, and relentless drive, Coach Chum is shaping the future of Thai football—one step at a time.
📌 Follow Coach Chum’s journey and football insights:
🔗 YouTube: @เปิดบอล → Perdball YouTube
🔗 Facebook: Perdball → Perdball Facebook
