Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is reported to be one of the candidates under consideration for the position of head coach of Southeast Asian champions Thailand after the shock resignation of Kiatisuk Senamuang last week.
Kiatisuk quit on Friday following heavy AFC 2018 World Cup qualifying defeats against Saudi Arabia and Japan, making it six losses in seven games in the third-round campaign.
The surprise departure of the Thai legend has prompted significant speculation over the identity of his successor. Ranieri, and former Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella, are two well-known names that are on the list of possible replacements.
The Bangkok Post suggested that Kiatusuk's resignation had come after it had been reported that "the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) wanted former Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri to replace him".
But the same newspaper also reported that FAT president Somyot Poompunmuang dismissed the suggestion as a joke he had made with Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of Thailand-owned Leicester City.
The possibility of Ranieri as the head coach of the War Elephants is an intriguing one. The former Chelsea boss certainly has a record of success that would appeal to supporters, and he is well known among Thai fans for his exploits with Thai-owned Leicester City.
Ranieri made a trip to Thailand last year after he led the Foxes to the Premier League title in order to demonstrate gratitude for the support of Thai sponsors King Power. Despite the now infamous decision to sack the manager in February, Ranieiri has established links with Thailand that may endure.
Despite the incredible achievement of winning the league title with Leicester, Ranieri's most recent foray into international management -- as manager of Greece -- ended badly when he was fired in 2014, following a defeat by the Faroe Islands.
The appointment of the ex-Chelsea boss would carry an element of risk, as well as intrigue, but Raneiri certainly has a pedigree that appeals.
Sabella, who took Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, has been linked with the position as Thai head coach since last year. In December, Somyot had to deny rumours that the former Leeds United midfielder had been contacted by the FAT,
At the time, he told the Nation newspaper, "I have never had any contact with this Argentine coach. I can tell you there are a considerable number of coaches showing interest in the national post...we have particular interest in those who have taken their team to a Word Cup finals."
There has also been talk of former Japan boss Takeshi Okada taking the helm. Okada led the Japanese to their first World Cup finals in 1998. While his finest achievement may be two decades ago, the former Hangzhou Greentown boss remains a good candidate, given Thailand's long-time admiration for Japanese football.
Whether it is a 65-year-old Italian, a 62-year-old Argentine, or 60-year-old Okada who accepts the job, it will not be easy to follow Kiatisuk. He won the AFF Suzuki Cup twice, among several others honours.
The FAT know they have a big job on their hands in order to ensure that Thailand's football future is secure.