It's the topic that sparks debate around the world. From playgrounds to stands and sports bars to office coffee rooms: who's your greatest all time eleven? Like everything in football, it's fun to talk about because everybody has a slightly different take, and their own special reason for including that striker who came off the bench and scored a really important goal ten years ago.
With over a decade of Muangthong games under my belt, and a whole lot of ups and downs to look back on, I figured I'd finally offer up the definitive starting eleven, plus subs and manager of the greatest team Thailand has ever seen. Before we get started, I want to clarify that I will be choosing players based on their peak form with Muangthong, so if you're wondering why certain big names (you already know who I'm thinking of don't you?) are missing, that might be why. I'll also add an "on the bench" second choice for each position. Finally, I might cheat a little and put a couple of players out of position, but only slightly.
So without further ado, let's end the debate once and for all with the all time greatest Muangthong United team.
Goalkeeper: Kawin Thamasatchanan
This one took me all of one nanosecond to decide. Peak Kawin was one of the very few players I saw that I truly believed would have a shot at top two tier football in England. He had everything: excellent fitness, reflexes, courage, composure. He made it to Japan where injury stopped him reaching his full potential but he can still look back with pride. It's nice that he's still a regular sight at home games and is humble and friendly.
On the bench: Korawit. Our present young 'keeper grew into a composed and courageous goalie even during a miserable season. Hope we can hold on to him.
Right back: Arthit Daosawang
In contrast to the goalie position, I had to really think about this. Right back isn't a position where we have produced any massive names but Arthit started with us as a youngster and gave us his best years. Back in 2011, I described him as "having pace and confidence, and the best is yet to come."
On the bench: Tristan Do, but only because I can't think of anyone else except Mika Chunonasee.
Right centre back: Jetsada Jitsawad
The first position I've really felt spoilt for choice. Jetsada was small for a centre back but compensated for it by reading the game brilliantly making him one of those defenders that allowed Kirins fans to remain unconcerned by whomever the opponents deployed in attack. He disappeared from Muangthong during the glory days in controversial circumstances but his performances are not forgotten. Jetsada now a coach at the club and although I'm not exactly a great fan of our current coaching setup, I do like some of the things he does.
On the bench: Panupong Wongsa, but in reality, he is interchangeable in terms of quality.
Left centre back: Nattaporn "Oat" Phanrit
Remembering these old names makes me realise just how far the modern Muangthong team has fallen from grace. None of the modern back line is fit to lace prime Nattaporn's, Panupong's or Jetsada's boots. Oat was an absolute roadblock. He'd do the physical stuff like clearing crosses and blocking shots while his defensive partner, usually Panupong, would lead the line and get in early. It worked well, it worked long. I will never forget watching us play Buriram at home and wondering how Oat and Panupong managed to keep such an amazing level of concentration and discipline against such an impressive attack for over ninety minutes.
On the bench: Zesh Rehman
Left back: Theerathon Bunmathan
I didn't get to see much of Theerathon in action but his record speaks for itself.
On the bench: Weerawut Kayem (who still plays)
Centre midfield 1: Datsakorn Thonglao
My favourite memory of Datsakorn was an absolute torpedo shot he scored against Bangkok United at the Thai-Japanese Stadium (BU should never, ever have left there). A mainstay of the squad for a long time, Datsakorn portrayed the proverbial talented little guy game in, game out with excellent set pieces and solid distribution on the ground. Even during games where the team struggled, he'd remain steady and consistent. I won't comment on my thoughts on him as a coach.
On the bench: Jakkaphan Keawprom
Centre Midfield 2: Mario Gjurovski
Another tough call as we've had so many quality midfielders over the years. Mario loved playing at Muangthong. His long legs dribbled through many an opposition half as he created openings for the team in an era where we were just starting to slip away from the absolute elite in the country. Despite the drop off in team performance, Mario gave fans things to cheer on and off the pitch when he shrugged off racial abuse he was receiving on Twitter from certain English-speaking sections of a rival team and scored some nice goals. The memories continued with the legendary moment he was sent off against TOT for celebrating a goal by putting his shorts on his head. He would go on to become a touchline fashion icon as our manager.
Have we seen the last of Mario at Muangthong? A lot of people, including Mario himself, believe that might not be the case.
On the bench: Dagno Siaka
Left midfield: Yaya Alfa Soumahoro
If you didn't see Yaya in action, you don't know what you missed. This guy absolutely terrorised defenders in Thailand, no matter if he was deployed on the right wing or the left. Before an El Clasico with Chonburi back in 2011, coach Rene told me that they had identified Chonburi's left back as a potential weak point. He didn't reveal any more than that but clearly he told Yaya just to run at him every chance he got. It was glorious. His talents eventually took him to Belgium and this blog formed a friendship with a Belgian football blogger to continue watching his progress. Click here for an amazing video of Yaya and a view of the Thunderdome when it had just a single stand. It's a relatively unknown fact that Yaya returned to us in 2016 but injury had changed him and he did not feature for us ever again.
On the bench: Teeratep Winothai. Leesaw was always a cult figure at the club, perhaps due to his Everton connections or his good looks. I never put him in the same bracket as Yaya, but he had attacking threat.
Right midfield: Kakana Khamyok
You've just seen me raving about one of the greatest players the Thai league has ever seen and yet I choose to play him in his less-preferred position of Left wing. Why? Because he had to make way for a kid called Kakana Khamyok, who is part of the worst Muangthong side in modern history and has just been relegated. I can't say much more about this kid than what I said when I awarded him player of the season: it's not just his skill - though he has that in spades - it's his never say die attitude that made the youngster look more mature, more composed and downright braver than many of his older teammates during an absolutely miserable year. I'd love us to keep him next season but I'm grizzled enough to know that's very unlikely. Our best chance is we put him out on loan for a year to give ourselves one shot at keeping him long term.
On the bench: Pichitpong Choichieu
Wide Forward: William Popp
A modern icon at the club. Popp has been through two eras with the Kirins and scored a ridiculous amount of goals in the process. His reputation alone was such that when he returned to us for the second leg of the 25/26 season, he gave the whole team a boost despite not being fully fit. It's a desperate shame that his last game was the Sukhothai debacle. Perhaps, like Mario, we'll see him at the Thunderdome again in happier times.
On the bench: Christian. A more central player who possibly had more natural skill than Popp but was always held back by his incredible level of petulance.
Centre forward: Teerasil Dangda
The only decision that was even easier than the goalkeeper spot. What can we say about Teerasil that hasn't already been said? He gave his prime years to Muangthong and was the absolute figurehead of a team that scored goals and won trophies for fun. Over and over again he produced moments of magic in big games, tough games, slow games and scrappy games. Teerasil created goals in matches played at night or in peak heat, on waterlogged or bone dry pitches. There was nothing this guy couldn't do and it's a massive testament to his level of professionalism that he is still going strong at age thirty-seven.
On the bench: Cleiton Silva
Manager: René Desaeyere
I realise other managers could also make a strong claim, especially Slaviša Jokanović, but the thing that made Rene so fascinating was his unpredictability: both tactically and as a person. One minute he'd be masterminding a tactical thrashing of Chonburi, the next he'd decide on an actual thrashing of one of their coaching staff and if anyone else got involved, they could get some, too. Yet for all his ferociousness, he was also brave. Rene was the first to even hint at the "help" Buriram seemed to be getting - and a good leader: he pulled Muangthong through one of the most grueling fixture schedules I have ever seen, telling the world media on the final day "Don't ask us to do this again".
And there, folks, you have it. The debates can stop forever. The final definitive list of Muangthong United's GOATS is settled forever. You might say it's all about opinion. You might think of big names that haven't been mentioned from Chanathip to Adison, Fowler to Adisak. But the beauty of football is that we all think we're right. And I confidently say that this Muangthong GOAT side is the greatest. Bar none. Bring on Buriram!
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