Thailand has appointed Anthony Hudson, former interim coach of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), as the new head coach of its men's national soccer team. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, a day after the dismissal of former Japanese coach Masatada Ishii.
Hudson, an Englishman born on March 11, 1981, brings a wealth of international experience to the War Elephants. The 44-year-old has previously managed the national teams of Bahrain and New Zealand, leading them to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, respectively. He also holds the distinction of being one of the youngest coaches to earn the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching award in football, back in 2012.
Prior to his appointment with Thailand, Hudson served as the director of technical development for the Football Association of Thailand since June 4, 2025. Association president Nualphan Lamsam emphasized the importance of Hudson's familiarity with Thai football in the decision-making process. "At this crucial time, we need someone who understands Thai football thoroughly," Lamsam said in a statement. "Anthony Hudson has worked with the association at every level and has extensive international experience".
Hudson's experience extends beyond national teams. He coached the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer (MLS) from late 2017 to May 2019. In 2023, he briefly took the reins as the interim coach of the USMNT. He also served as an assistant coach for the USMNT from 2020 to 2023, contributing to their victories in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Hudson's first match in charge of Thailand will be a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka in November. Thailand is currently second in Group D of the qualifiers, and only the group winner will advance to the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
His managerial career began in 2008 and has included positions with Real Maryland Monarchs, Newport County, Bahrain U23, New Zealand U23, Colorado Rapids, Al-Markhiya, Al Arabi SC, and BG Pathum United. He also oversaw the youth sides for New Zealand, guiding both the U-20 and U-17 teams to the knockout stages of their respective World Cups in the same cycle for the first time.
As technical director, Hudson's role involved long-term development plans for the Thai national team at all levels, analyzing data and statistics, designing training methodologies, and coordinating with coaches. This background is expected to provide him with a solid foundation for his new role as head coach. Hudson's preferred formation is 4-2-3-1.
