Thai League 1 features 16 teams, with the bottom three facing relegation. After 27 rounds, Kanchanaburi currently sits in 14th place with 22 points, two points shy of safety, having played one more match. This precarious situation led the club to part ways with coach Wasapol Kaewpaluk.

Following the departure, Kanchanaburi approached coach Lee Jung-soo and offered him a short-term contract, aiming to secure their spot in Thai League 1 during the final three rounds. At the time, Lee was also discussing a contract extension as an assistant coach for the national team and U23 squad with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). However, after careful consideration, coach Lee chose to move to Thailand.

Assistant coach Lee Jung-soo, fitness coach Yoon Dong-hun, and goalkeeper coach Lee Woon-jae (from left to right) before Vietnam's 3-1 victory over Malaysia in the final group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, held at Thien Truong Stadium in Ninh Binh on 31/3. Photo: Hieu Luong

"Lee Jung-soo sought a new challenge, and Kanchanaburi's objectives perfectly aligned with his ambitions," a source told VnExpress. "Despite the short contract duration and demanding target, coach Lee views this as an opportune moment to demonstrate his capabilities."

The last time a South Korean coach led a club in Thai League 1 was Yoon Jong-hwan at Muangthong United in 2019.

Coach Lee has half a month to prepare for his debut with Kanchanaburi against Buriram United, a team poised to win their fifth consecutive Thai League 1 title, in round 28 on 26/4. Subsequently, the team will face Chonburi on 2/5 and Ratchaburi FC on 10/5. All opponents are considered much stronger, but Kanchanaburi will have the advantage of playing at home.

Kanchanaburi believes that the South Korean coaching style, proven successful in Vietnam and Indonesia, could serve as an "emergency solution." The club also plans to appoint a South Korean coach for the upcoming season, regardless of whether they avoid relegation.

Kanchanaburi FC was established in 2017. The team won the Thai League 3 Western Region in the 2022-2023 season. In the 2024-2025 season, they finished fourth in Thai League 2, earning promotion after two playoff matches.

Kanchanaburi's current captain is Andros Townsend, who joined at the start of the season. Born in 1991, the English midfielder previously spent many years playing in the English Premier League for Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and Everton.

Kanchanaburi FC (red and white jerseys) lost 0-2 to BG Pathum United in round 27 of Thai League 1 2025-2026 on 4/4. Photo: Kanchanaburi Power FC

During his playing career, Lee Jung-soo was a top South Korean center-back. He earned 54 caps for the national team from 2008 to 2013 and started at the 2010 World Cup. Lee played a significant role in the group stage, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory against Greece and equalizing in a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the final group match.

At the club level, Lee was a familiar face in K-League 1, playing for FC Seoul, Incheon United, and Suwon Samsung Bluewings. In 2009, he moved to Japan to play for Kyoto Sanga and then Kashima Antlers. From the 2010-2011 to 2015-2016 seasons, he played for Al Sadd in Qatar, where he won the 2011 AFC Champions League after defeating Kim Sang-sik's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the final. Towards the end of his career, Lee played two seasons for Suwon FC before moving to the United States to play for Charlotte Independence in 2018, where he eventually retired.

Lee Jung-soo first worked in Southeast Asia as an assistant coach for Ho Chi Minh City FC (now Cong an Ho Chi Minh City) under coach Chung Hae-seong, from December 2018 to July 2020. He then returned to South Korea to serve as an assistant coach at Suwon FC until December 2023.

In March 2025, Lee returned to Vietnam as an assistant coach for both the national team and the U23 squad. Within one year, he helped secure the 2025 AFF U23 Championship title, a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games, a third-place finish at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.