Thailand lines up Robson as new coach

"I expect we will know the final answer no later than next week and if he agrees Robson will travel to Thailand by October."

Thailand lines up Robson as new coach

Thailand's Football Association said Friday it expected former England captain Bryan Robson to take up an offer to replace Peter Reid as coach of the national team.

Association chairman Worawi Makudi said on the body's official website that he had contacted the former Manchester United skipper and is waiting for a reply.

"We have already contacted Robson. He seems interested and it is likely that Robson will accept our offer." Worawi was quoted as saying on the web site.

"I expect we will know the final answer no later than next week and if he agrees Robson will travel to Thailand by October." Worawi said.

Former Sunderland and Manchester City boss Reid's contract as Thailand's national coach was terminated on Wednesday after just a year.

Reid said earlier this week that he was sad to be leaving Thailand but cannot wait to start work again in the Premier League after being appointed number two at Stoke City.

Worawi rejected criticisms that Robson had had no major success during his time as manager at clubs including Middlesbrough and most recently Sheffield United.

"The Thai football team is stronger than before, so the coach does not have to work closely with players but must map out tactics and lead the team." he said.

Reid finished as Thailand national coach

"The Football Association of Thailand and Reid, who has shown his desire to work in the Premier League, have agreed to terminate the contract." Worawi Makudi said.

Reid finished as Thailand national coach

Thailand on Wednesday formally terminated its contract with national football coach Peter Reid, who is set to take up an offer to serve as assistant at Stoke.

Football Association of Thailand chairman Worawi Makudi said the decision was made in consultation with former Sunderland and Manchester City boss Reid, who still has three years left on his contract.

Reid took over the Thai national team in September 2008 on a four-year contract but a clause in his contract allowed him to leave if he received an offer from an English club.

He said last month that he would leave Thailand and take up a job as deputy to Stoke manager Tony Pulis, but only after he had fixed the issue with the Thai FA.
Reid's assistant, Steve Darby, will act as Thailand's coach until a new manager is official appointed.

Thailand were previously coached by Aston Villa striker Peter Withe, who from 1998 to 2002 led the team to two Tiger Cup wins and the semi-final of the Asian Games in Bangkok.

Thailand, with two draws in the Asian Cup qualifying rounds, will next play Singapore on 14 November in Singapore.

Argentina and France must be in World Cup, says Torres

"A World Cup without Argentina, France or Portugal would not be the same. I would like them all to take part."

Argentina and France must be in World Cup, says Torres

The 2010 World Cup will suffer if Argentina, France and Portugal fail to qualify, Liverpool's Spanish international striker Fernando Torres said on Monday.

"A World Cup without Argentina, France or Portugal would not be the same. I would like them all to take part."

the 25-year-old told a news conference two days after Spain beat Belgium 5-0 in a qualifier in La Coruna.

"We also struggled to qualify for the 2008 Euro finals and then we won the tournament." he added.

"National squads change from one day to the other depending on the status of their players. They can go through a bad moment now and in the summer be one of the favourites."

Spain have a flawless seven wins at the top of Group 5, six points ahead of second-placed Bosnia Herzegovina, who won 2-0 at Armenia.

If Spain beat Estonia in Merida on Wednesday and Bosnia fail to beat Turkey they will qualify for the World Cup finals with two games to spare.

France, who finished second during the 2006 World Cup, drew 1-1 against Romania at home on Saturday and will scramble to make the final in South Africa next year if they lose against Serbia on Wednesday.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona, meanwhile, has admitted that it will be tough for his side to ensure World Cup qualification following Saturday's 3-1 home loss to rivals Brazil, their first home qualifier loss in 16 years.

Portugal, who were semi-finalists in 2006, slumped to fourth place in Group One following their 1-1 draw against leaders Denmark on Saturday.