Former Liverpool and Tottenham defender Christian Ziege spices up managerial career… with job at club in Thailand
German former Middlesbrough star takes over the reins at Ratchaburi FC following coaching spell at Atletico Baleares
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FORMER Liverpool and Tottenham star Christian Ziege has spiced up his management career... by taking charge of a club in THAILAND.
The 72-cap Germany international has been appointed boss of top-flight club Ratchaburi FC.
He replaces Spaniard Pacheta, who led them to sixth in the 18-team league in the 2017 campaign.
Ziege, 45, ended a two-year spell coaching Majorca club Atletico Baleares in March.
The former left wing-back joined Middlesbrough from AC Milan in 1999, but spent just one season at the Riverside Stadium before moving to Anfield.
He helped Gerard Houllier's Reds win a Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble in his one season on Merseyside before a three-year stint with Spurs.
Ziege hung up his boots in 2005, and has since coached German clubs Borussia Monchengladbach, Arminia Bielefeld and SpVgg Unterhaching.
He has also taken charge of Germany's Under-18 and Under-19 sides.
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Ziege now faces a warm welcome in football-crazed Thailand, where local fans idolise the Premier League.
However the German must now satisfy Ratchaburi's ambitious owners, who want the Dragons to improve on last season.
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Last term, they finished 31 points adrift of champions Buriram United.
Ratchaburi play at the 14,000-capacity Mitr Phol stadium, 50 miles west of capital Bangkok.
Founded in 2004, Ratchaburi have one Thai Division 1 League title under their belt, won in 2012.