Thailand's World Cup vision

Former England captain Bryan Robson agreed on Wednesday to become coach of Thailand’s national team in his first foray into international management, the Thai FA chief told reporters in Bangkok.

According to news agencies reports, the former Manchester United midfielder will sign a four-year contract with the Southeast Asian side and will be expected to build a squad capable of reaching the 2014 World Cup finals.

“He’s agreed to become coach, he’s very happy with what we’ve offered him,” Worawi Makudi told reporters. “It’s a four-year deal. The plan is he’ll coach Thailand for the Asian Cup, the Olympics and hopefully the World Cup, too.”

Robson, who played in three World Cups, has managed four English sides but has been without a club since quitting Sheffield United in February last year.

The 52-year-old, who was nicknamed “Captain Marvel” as a player, becomes Thailand’s ninth foreign coach since 1976 and the third ex-England international to take the job after Peter Withe and Peter Reid.

Robson will replace Reid, who parted company with the Thais on Sept. 9 after less than a year in charge. Reid’s lucrative contract was terminated by mutual consent after his request to remain Thailand coach while serving as assistant manager to Tony Pulis at Premier League Stoke City was shot down.

Robson’s first task will be to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. Thailand is currently third in Group E with two points from its first two games and shares the group lead with Iran, Singapore and Jordan.

He will also be expected to play a role in improving Thailand’s fledgling professional league and developing the grassroots game across the country of 67 million people.

Thailand’s dominance in Southeast Asia has waned in recent years. After winning three of the first four regional championships, Singapore won the 2004 and 2007 tournaments, and Vietnam beat Thailand in the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup final.

During his 13 years at Manchester United, Robson won two league titles, four FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He was capped 90 times by England.

In addition to Sheffield United, he managed Middlesbrough, Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion.