Steve Darby replaced as Thailand's assistant national soccer coach

Englishman Darby will now be a football instructor. His new role also includes monitoring Thailand's foreign-based players.

Darby was coach of Thailand's SEA Games (U23) side who were eliminated in the first round in Laos in December.

FAT president Worawi Makudi said Darby was removed as assistant national coach mainly because of the SEA Games failure.

"The failure is unacceptable. He also has a problem with the Thai media," Worawi said.

"We can't fire him because he is under contract until 2011. Steve is a knowledgable person so he can help us in another position."

The board appointed former Muang Thong United coach Attapol to assist national coach Bryan Robson with immediate effect.

Attapol will help the former England captain in Thailand's preparations for their final Asian Cup qualifier against Iran on March 3, Worawi said.