At SPC Football, we’re proud to spotlight the journeys of coaches and leaders shaping football worldwide. This time we speak with Russ Horsley — a UEFA-qualified coach, coach educator, and club founder with decades of experience across Europe and Asia.
From leading academies in England and Spain to now establishing Phang Nga United FC, Thailand’s newest professional club, Russ has a remarkable story about resilience, opportunity, and building pathways for young players.
Q: Russ, it’s great to have you speaking with us today. Can you tell our readers a little about your career in football to date?
A: Thank you, it’s great to be here. I’m a UEFA-qualified coach and coach educator, and I’ve worked in football in many roles—Club CEO, Technical Director, Academy Director, Academy Coach, and Recruitment.
I’ve been fortunate to work in clubs worldwide. My career also includes time as manager of the Nike International Football Academy, Executive Officer of the English Colleges Football Association, and National Football Development Officer for The FA in England.
Beyond professional football, I’ve built sports curriculums in colleges and universities, creating partnerships with Leicester Tigers RUFC, Doncaster Knights RUFC, Leicester Riders basketball, Barry McGuigan, and several football clubs.
Q: You’re now based in Thailand. How did that come about?
A: Before Covid, I managed the Fulham FC International Academy in Valencia, Spain. One of the players was from Thailand, and while he had good technique, he struggled with tactical and physical demands. That led me to research football development in Thailand and see the lack of 11-a-side opportunities.
Many young Thai players spend huge sums chasing contracts in Europe, but very few succeed. I wanted to close that gap by creating opportunities locally. After a short spell at Phuket Andaman FC, I decided to launch my own professional club — Phang Nga United FC. It’s one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been part of.
Q: What is the level of football like in Thailand?
A: Better than I initially expected! At the top levels it’s competitive, though at lower tiers the tactical and organisational side lags behind Europe.
The league system has four tiers:
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T1: Top national league
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T2: Second national league
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T3: Third level, split into six regions
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Semi-Pro: Fourth tier, made up of professional clubs
Q: Tell us about Phang Nga United. Are you looking for players and coaches?
A: Yes, Phang Nga United FC is the newest professional club in Thailand, and the only one in Phang Nga province.
Our first team squad begins full-time training in January for the semi-pro league starting in March. Alongside that, we’re developing a youth academy for locals and an international academy for players chasing professional opportunities.
We want to succeed on the pitch, progress through the leagues, and also build a community club that creates genuine pathways for young players. We’re always open to hearing from coaches and players who’d like to be part of our journey.
“Phang Nga United isn’t just a club — it’s a pathway for young players to realise their dreams.”
Q: What about your playing career?
A: My playing career was short due to injury. I was always going to be a better coach than a player.
My father was a coach (and still coaches daily in his seventies), so I grew up helping him. I earned my badges young and even ran my own school coaching business at 17, working with 200+ schools.
I then moved into FE colleges, helped grow the English Colleges FA, and eventually joined The FA full-time as a coach educator. Coaching is not just a job for me — it’s a lifestyle.
Q: What is your football dream?
A: My dream is to see Phang Nga United FC grow into a leading club in Thailand and to help as many young players as possible. On a personal note, I’d also love to see England win a men’s international tournament in my lifetime.
Quickfire Round
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Favourite Snack: Crisps or chocolate (not very healthy!)
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Sports outside football: Rugby Union, Cricket, Boxing, Darts
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Sportspersons admired: Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Man United’s 1999 Treble team
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Teams Supported: Manchester United (football), Leicester Tigers (rugby)
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Favourite Stadiums: Old Trafford, Mestalla (Valencia)
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Dream Car: Jaguar
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Favourite Holiday Destinations: Phuket & Valencia
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3 Dinner Guests: Julius Caesar, Sir Alex Ferguson, Duncan Edwards
Conclusion
Russ’s journey is proof that football careers can evolve across coaching, education, and leadership — and that sometimes the boldest projects, like founding a new club, bring the greatest rewards.
At SPC Football, we’re excited to see how Phang Nga United FC grows, and we’re proud to support Russ and his team through our global football network.
👉 Looking for your next coaching or playing role? Browse opportunities here >>https://spcfootball.com/jobs/
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See you on the pitch soon!
