Pattaya Port FC Appoints Serbian Coach Bandovic as New Manager

Pattaya Port FC has officially announced the appointment of Serbian coach Bozidar Bandovic as the new head coach, replacing Saravut Triphan. Bandovic will make his debut in the team's home match against Persib Bandung in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League (Shopee Cup) group stage on October 8, 2026.

The 57-year-old coach is scheduled to arrive in Thailand on the morning of September 26, 2026, and will begin work with Pattaya Port FC immediately. He will be accompanied by assistant coach Surdan Stoychevski, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence and will arrive on September 27, 2026.

Bandovic holds a UEFA Pro Licence and brings extensive Thai League experience, having previously managed Buriram United and winning back-to-back Thai League championships in 2017 and 2018, along with the Coach of the Year award. He has also managed BEC Tero Sasana, Sri Saket FC, and PTT Rayong, totaling four clubs in Thailand.

Beyond Thailand, Bandovic is familiar with Asian football after managing Hanoi in Vietnam's V-League, winning the Super Cup in 2022 and earning Coach of the Year in 2023. He has also coached in Europe with Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, FC Baku of Azerbaijan, and recently Vovodina and FK Radnicki 1923 in Serbia's top division.

Bandovic is considered the ideal candidate, having experience managing teams in continental competitions including the UEFA Champions League with Olympiacos and the AFC Champions League with Buriram United and Hanoi.

Assistant coach Surdan Stoychevski, 41 years old, also holds a UEFA Pro Licence. He has worked alongside Bandovic since Vietnam and continued their partnership in Serbia. Stoychevski has served as head coach in Serbia's top and second divisions and was previously an assistant coach for the Serbian national youth teams under 17 and 19.