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| Full name | Muangthong United Football Club สโมสรฟุตบอลเมืองทอง ยูไนเต็ด | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Kirins (กิเลนผยอง) | ||
| Short name | MTUTD | ||
| Founded | 1989; 37 years ago (1989), asNongjorg Pittayanusorn School Football Team | ||
| Ground | Thunderdome Stadium Pak Kret,Nonthaburi, Thailand | ||
| Capacity | 15,000 | ||
| Owner | Siam Sport Syndicate | ||
| Chairman | Wilak Lohtong | ||
| Head coach | Mario Ivanković | ||
| League | Thai League 1 | ||
| 2024–25 | Thai League 1, 6th of 16 | ||
| Website | mtutd | ||
 Current season | |||
Muangthong United Football Club (Thai:สโมสรฟุตบอลเมืองทอง ยูไนเต็ด) is a Thai professionalfootball club based inMuang Thong Thani,Pak Kret district,Nonthaburi province.[1] The club plays in theThai League 1, the top-flightfootball league of Thailand.[2] Muangthong United has participated in the highest level of the Thai football league system since 2009 after having won theThai Division 1 League title in 2008.[3]
Muangthong United is one of Thailand's leading football clubs, having the biggest fan base with over 3.7 million followers on social media as of 14 November 2023.[4] The club, also known asThe Kirins[5][6] was for a period one of the richest football clubs in Thailand.[7]
The club, founded in 1989, was first registered with theFootball Association of Thailand as the Norgjorg Pittayanusorn School Football Team. It was established byWorawi Makudi, and the team's first competition was theNgor Royal Cup, which is the smallest cup in the Thai football league system. Even in theThailand Division 1 League season 2002–2003, the club was renamed to FC Norgjorg Black Pearl by the former politicianVeera Musikapong in an attempt to rebuild the team. However, the team was unsuccessful after just one season, so he left the club, which remained in the Thailand Division 1 League.
The next season of the Thailand League Division 1 in 2003–2004 the team was renamed once again as a group that has been done the team as FCGloblex Norgjorg by Somsak Chenchaowanich, who signed as the new team manager. That year, the team performed poorly. Finally, it must be relegated to play in Ngor Royal Cup in season 2004–2005 by returning to its original name, but it was not as successful as it should have been.[8]
The Football Association wants to raise the level of league competition in Thailand so they establishedThailand Division 2 League with a team led byKhǒr Royal Cup andKhor Royal Cup are mixed together to compete in the league this season which Norgjorg Pittayanusorn Football Club eligible entrants. In 2007 Siam Sport Syndicate by Rawi Lohtong, the President of Siam Sport Syndicate bought the club and changed the name to Muangthong United Football Club and moved to a new ground atMuang Thong Thani,Thunderdome Stadium. The club's first success was winning the first place in the 2007 Season of theThailand Division 2 League. From here, they were promoted to theThai Division 1 League.[9] The team was then promoted to theThai League 1 in the2009 season so everyone praised Muangthong United in that season as "3 Years 3 Champs".[10][11]
| 2007 | Division2 | (Tier 3) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Division1 | (Tier 2) |
| 2009 | Thai Premier League | (Tier 1) |
The club was promoted to play in the Thai Premier League in 2009, after it won the title for the Division one. In the 2009 season, the club had many new and notable players in the country. Despite a successful start to the season, they pledged in April 2009 withAttaphol Buspakom a new coach. For the summer break, the association is, as expected by all experts, among the top five of the table and plays for the championship.[12]
One factor contributing to the club's success is its close relationship with Belgian clubLierse, and the acquisition of Thai star playerTeeratep Winothai andRonnachai Rangsiyo, the striker fromPEA. Together withTeerasil Dangda, the club now has some of the most talented strikers in the country in its ranks.[13][14]
In 2010,Attaphol Buspakom was sacked following a string of unsuccessful results, and was replaced by BelgianRené Desaeyere, who managed Muangthong for two seasons. Under his leadership, Muangthong qualified for the2010 AFC Champions League. They beatSHB Đà Nẵng fromVietnam 0–3 but lost out toSingapore Armed Forces on penalties after the game ended in a 1–1 draw. They were eligible to play for the2010 AFC Cup. They reached the semi-final round but lost toAl-Ittihad fromSyria 2–1. In the2010 Thai Premier League, they lost just three games out of 30, with seven draws, good enough to capture the league title for the second time.Dagno Siaka was the club's top scorer for in 2010 with 15 goals.[15]
At the start of the 2011 season Muangthong United signed formerLiverpool playerRobbie Fowler[16][17] to a one-year contract. Muangthong United participated in the2011 AFC Champions League play-off rounds. They playedSriwijaya but lost on penalties after the game ended in a 2–2 draw. They were also eligible to play for the2011 AFC Cup, coming first in the group stage of the tournament. In their first match of the round of 16 they beatAl Ahed fromLebanon 4–0 but went on to lose toKuwait SC in the quarter-finals round 1–0. After their tournament exitHenrique Calisto, the club's manager, was sacked and Fowler took over asplayer/coach of Muangthong United.[18][19][20]In2011 Thai Premier League Muangthong United finished the season in third place in Thai league. For the 2010–11 season andTeerasil Dangda is top score for club in 2011 season by 13 goals.[21]
After Fowler's contract expired, Muangthong United signed a contract withSerbia coachSlaviša Jokanović. During the pre-season, Muangthong United signed on many famous players such asMario Gjurovski,Ri Kwang-Chon,Adnan Barakat,Mongkol Namnuad, and the young player that crowned as best younger of Thailand etc.[22]
In 2012 season, the club did not play in theAFC Champions League orAFC Cup. Therefore, it tried to do the best in2012 Thai League Cup, but they lost toTOT 3–4 and2012 Thai FA Cup they lost toArmy United 3–2, but they can win the2012 Thai Premier League is a third of the club and Muangthong United became the first team inThai Premier League to go the season unbeaten in the current 34-game format. In 2012, Muangthong engaged an unbeaten run which lasted the whole season, and Teerasil also scored four goals in a single match, an 8–1 routing overBBCU on 18 October. Ten days later he scored in a 2–2 draw againstBEC Tero Sasana, a goal which granted the title, took his tally to 24 goals and broke the previous record of Ronnachai Sayomchai in 1998 (23 goals).
After his impressive goal tally in the season, Teerasil was invited by La Liga sidesAtlético Madrid andGetafe for a trial, but as the former was a Muangthong partner, he headed to Atlético Madrid in January 2013; he also attracted interest ofTrabzonspor in June.[23]
In 2016, Not having won any trophies for three consecutive seasons, the club started a campaign called "The Dream Team" and signed many famous national team players such asPeerapat Notchaiya,Theerathon Bunmathan,Adisak Kraisorn,Tanaboon Kesarat,Chanathip Songkrasin,Tristan Do,Adison Promrak, and international players such asXisco. They also brought inTotchtawan Sripan, ones of Thai football legends, as the new head coach. All this resulted in Muangthong United winning the double, as they became champions of theThai League 1 andLeague Cup.[24]
In 2017, After finishing champions in the 2016 Thai League season, The Kirins secured direct qualification into the2017 AFC Champions League. In the group stages, for Home games Muangthong beatKashima Antlers, 2–1 and beatUlsan Hyundai, 1-0 and beatBrisbane Roar, 3–0. The club finish runners-up in Group E, and qualified for the Round of 16 for the first time in their club history.[25][26] For their home and final leg of the Champions League Round of 16 – ahome and away series against Japanese sideKawasaki Frontale. Having lose the first leg, 1–3 in Thailand and Frontale defeat Muangthong United, 4–1 in the second leg.[27]
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The Muangthong United Academy (MTUTD Academy) has a clear aim of providing a place to pursue and achieve success through a first-class coaching environment for all the young players registered in its system to produce players that will play and succeed in the first team at Muangthong United.[28]
In the beginning the club use the youth development service fromJMG Academy that sign an agreement with Muangthong United andRobert Procureur who was the Director of JMG Thailand on 2007 to 2011, the academy created most of the talent player such asSuriya Singmui,Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul,Weerawut Kayem,Picha Autra andSuphanan Bureerat continue to 2011 the club started an own youth development program[29][30] due to AFC club licensing standard that tries to develop young player from 12 to 18 years old[31] so that they created MTUTD Academy, from this development, the club has produced many players for the national team sinceThitipan Puangchan,Korrawit Tasa,Poramet Arjvirai andPatcharapol Intanee.[32][33][34]
The following are the sponsors of MTUTD (named "MTUTD Partners"):
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Title Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Grand Sport | Yamaha[35] |
| 2009–2010 | Adidas[36] | |
| 2011 | Grand Sport[37] | |
| 2012–2019 | SCG[38] | |
| 2020 | Shoot[39] | |
| 2021–2024 | Yamaha | |
| 2024– | Ego Sport[40] |
Muangthong United plays their home games in theSCG Stadium, originally designed for about 5,000 spectators. The stadium, unlike most stadiums inThailand, has no running track. Due to the success of the club and the increasing number of spectators, the stadium was built with steel tube stands with 15,000 seats during the 2008 season. After the end of the 2009 season, a plan to expand the stadium was conceived. As the stadium was only originally designed for a capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators, the expansion increased the capacity to 25,000. It is also one of the few stadiums in Thailand to have VIP areas.[41][42]
The club managed to develop a huge fan base quickly. At away games, the fans are represented very numerous mot. Games againstChonburi andBangkok Glass are among the highlights of the 2009 season. This season the new attendance records for the league could be set up. For the games againstChonburi and Bangkok Glass, there was even a first-time ticket sale. This should slow down the expected rush for tickets. For football in Thailand, this was a novelty. The core of fans of Muangthong consists of theUltra Muangthong.[43] They were also the first who brought theUltras movement to Thailand's stages. Large banners, flags, and double holders characterize the Fans and a "pre-Inger" with megaphones.[44]
Muangthong United has main rivalries withBuriram United andPort. For the rivalries withChonburi, against whom they contest the Thailand Clasico, andTOT SC, against whom they contest theChaeng Watthana derby.
The rivalry with Port is rooted inKor Royal Cup stampede when Port was forfeited due to crowd riots in 2009. In 2014 Muangthong United fans and Port fans rioted with armed rebellion atUdon Ratthaya Expressway in the Pak Kret Expressway area so the police and military came out to fix the problem. In 2016 the fans of these 2 teams were making riot it again in the same area this event made the Football Association of Thailand introduce measures for something to solve this problem.[45]
The rivalry with Buriram United arises from the numerous times the two teams, as well as Buriram United represented asrustic people and Muangthong United represented asurban people, In the same sides these two teams represent two different politics party sides in Thailand that sent their members to elect presidents of the Football Association of Thailand, have battled for theThai League 1 title this fixture has become known as one of the finest Thai League match-ups in history.[46]
This is an important day for Atletico Madrid. I want to congratulate Muang Thong United for winning the Thai Premier League for the second consecutive year this is a sign of the good work the club is doing. I think this agreement will have sporting, commercial and economic benefits for both teams. I hope it will encourage more Thai fans to follow the Spanish league and more Spanish fans to follow the Thai league.
Atletico Madrid (2011–present)[48][49]
Júbilo Iwata (2012–present)[55]
Assumption United (2015–present)[57]Urawa Red Diamonds (2021–present)[59]
Thunderdome Stadium is a football stadium located in Nonthaburi, Thailand, and is the home ofThai League 1's side, Muangthong United. Thunderdome Stadium was the first operate football stadium in Thailand, whilePAT Stadium andTOT Stadium Chaeng Watthana constructed without operate including there are others older stadiums, they are all considered as multi-purpose stadiums.[61]The stadium used to be able to hold as much as 20,000 spectators but the number reduced after renovation by filling in chairs to make the stadium all seated with a capacity of 15,000 people.[62]
| Coordinates | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°55′05″N100°32′51″E / 13.917989°N 100.547411°E /13.917989; 100.547411 | Nonthaburi | Thunderdome Stadium | 15,000 | 2007–present |
Statistics of Muangthong United in Asian competitions.
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Champions League | 23 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 26 | 39 | −13 | 026.09 |
| AFC Champions League Two | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 17 | +1 | 037.50 |
| AFC Cup | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 13 | +21 | 050.00 |
| Mekong Club Championship | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 100.00 |
| Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Promoted | Relegated |
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note 1: The official club website lists the supporters as player12th man.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Head coaches by years (2007–present)
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Nopporn Eksrattra |
| 2007 – 2008 | Surasak Tungsurat |
| 2009 | Attaphol Buspakom |
| 11 Jan 2010 – 7 Jan 2011 |  René Desaeyere |
| 18 Jan 2011 – 28 Feb 2011 |  Carlos Roberto |
| 6 Mar 2011 – 29 Sep 2011 |  Henrique Calisto |
| 1 Oct 2011 – 31 Jan 2012 |  Robbie Fowler |
| 27 Feb 2012 – 4 Jun 2013 |  Slaviša Jokanović |
| 5 Jun 2013 – 16 Jul 2013 |  Winfried Schäfer(caretaker) |
| 19 Jul 2013 – 31 Dec 2013 | René Desaeyere |
| 2 Jan 2014 – 30 Mar 2014 | Scott Cooper |
| 2 Jul 2014 – 19 Jan 2016 |  Dragan Talajić |
| 21 Jan 2016 – 12 Mar 2018 | Totchtawan Sripan |
| 30 Apr 2018 – 5 Oct 2018 | Radovan Ćurčić |
| 22 Nov 2018 – 1 Apr 2019 | Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok |
| 1 Apr 2019 – 7 Apr 2019 | Uthai Boonmoh(caretaker) |
| 9 Apr 2019 – 12 Jun 2019 |  Yoon Jong-hwan |
| 13 Jun 2019 – 17 Oct 2020 | Alexandre Gama |
| 19 Oct 2020 – 18 Sep 2023 |  Mario Gjurovski |
| 18 Sep 2023 – 26 Nov 2023 | Uthai Boonmoh(caretaker) |
| 27 Nov 2023 – 23 Jun 2024 | Miloš Joksić |
| 5 Jul 2024 – 25 May 2025 |  Gino Lettieri |
| 28 May 2025 – 25 Oct 2025 | Rangsan Viwatchaichok |
| 27 Oct 2025 – 29 Dec 2025 | Uthai Boonmoh(caretaker) |
| 29 Dec 2025 – | Mario Ivanković |
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