BANGKOK – Buriram United have named English coach Mark Jackson as their new head coach, following the exit of Osmar Loss. The 48-year-old Yorkshire native arrives after a successful stint in Australia to get the Thunder Castle roaring again. The timing suits both sides. Buriram lead Thai League 1 after seven unbeaten matches, yet recent slip-ups in Asia point to a need for fresh ideas.
For a fanbase that turns stands into a wall of blue and white, this feels bigger than a routine appointment. It reads as a confident move for a proven organizer. Jackson, once a tough centre-back and now a detail-driven manager, built his approach at Leeds United.
Mark Jackson’s Strong Record
He is known for trusting young players, smart tactics, and honest standards. “Mark’s track record is strong,” said sporting director Anukul Eiamkrantat in a club note. “He builds winning teams, and we believe he can unlock our ceiling.”
Mark Jackson’s path in football has been anything but dull. Born in Leeds on 30 September 1977, he forged a solid career at the back, with more than 200 matches for Scunthorpe United from 1996 to 2007.
He also earned four caps for England Under-20s. His coaching spark truly caught after retirement. He returned to Leeds in 2015 as a youth coach, then climbed through the academy. By 2019, he was guiding the Under-18s and Under-23s, turning prospects into first-team options.
His standout academy moment came in May 2021. Leeds United’s Under-23s stormed to the Premier League 2 Division 2 title, went unbeaten at home, and went up at the first try. The team pressed hard and passed with purpose, and talents such as Archie Gray flourished.
“Mark Jackson does more than coach; he sets players up for careers,” said then-head coach Jesse Marsch, who brought him into the senior staff in March 2022. Jackson helped steady a top-flight side in a tense survival fight and sharpened his first-team craft.
He wanted to lead from the front. That chance came at MK Dons in 2022. He took on a struggling group in League One but could not avoid relegation. It stung, yet it did not stall him. In September 2023, he moved to Central Coast Mariners, the A-League holders, and the results were striking.
A-League Coach of the Year
In 2023-24, the Mariners won a historic treble, the Premiership, the Championship, and the AFC Cup. Mark Jackson leaned on a bold 4-3-3, mixed local drive with his Leeds-informed pathway for youth, and claimed A-League Coach of the Year. Sixteen wins in 27 league matches underlined a clear style and strong game plans.
The follow-up year proved harder. Budget cuts bit, performances dipped, and the Mariners slid to tenth. Jackson left by mutual consent last week. “It was the right time to move on,” he said after parting. “Buriram share my hunger to win, every single week.”
What changes might arrive at Buriram under Jackson? Expect a sharper eye for academy talent, built on years at Thorp Arch. That could boost a squad that blends Thai prospects such as Supachok Sarachat with overseas names like former Newcastle defender Curtis Good, ex-Blackpool midfielder Kenny Dougall, and Premier League veteran Neil Etheridge in goal.
The press should stay intense, in line with last season under Loss, but transitions may be cleaner. His record with the Mariners sits at a 60 percent win rate, 32 victories from 53 matches, and his experience in Asia should help after the 3-0 loss to FC Seoul in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The schedule offers no easing-in period. His first match is set for Tuesday, away to Melbourne City in the ACL Elite league phase. It is a neat twist, facing an A-League rival abroad. At home, Buriram United hold a three-point edge over Bangkok United, and the Shopee Cup also demands attention.
They sit fifth in Group A after draws with Selangor and BG Pathum. Công An Hà Nội arrives on 3 December. A ninth Thai League crown is the expectation. Making a deep run in the ACL Elite is the aim.
There are whispers about the short lifespans of coaches at Buriram, with Loss gone after a brief stay. Mark Jackson does not shrink from pressure. “We are not here to make up the numbers,” he said after signing a two-year deal. “We are here to set the standard.” For the Thunder Castle, Jackson is not a quick fix. He is the surge they hope will charge a dynasty.
