Phuket FC appoints seasoned Brazilian as new coach

PHUKET: The Islanders’ vacancy for a head coach (see story here) has already been filled – by a skillful and respected Brazilian, Stefano Cugurra Teco.

Known formally as Alessandro Stefano Cugurra Rodrigues, “Coach Teco” was born on July 25, 1974 in Rio de Janeiro, and has been involved with Thai professional soccer since 2010.

As a football manager and former striker for Sao Paolo in Brazil, Coach Teco was most recently the manager of Thai Premier League club side Chiangrai United.

Having joined the Northern Thai club in July 2010, Coach Teco led Chiangrai to a 3rd place finish that year and thus promotion to the Thai Premier League, which they remained three years straight under his leadership.

Coach Teco left Chiangrai in June this year.

Before coming to Thailand, he coached Persebaya Surabaya, an elite team in Indonesia, where he earned the club three championship titles between 2003 to 2006.

He has also worked as a coach in Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.

His first test with Phuket will not be a breeze, this Sunday, August 11 against 9th placed Nakhon Pathom United.

— Steven Layne