Consequences of unsustainable model
Quy Nhon Binh Dinh Club's relegation is a sad ending, but not too surprising to those who have followed the ups and downs of the martial arts team over the years. From the peak of expectations, the team quickly fell into a financial crisis and then continuously went downhill.
Remember, in 2021, Binh Dinh returned to V.League after 12 years of absence. Immediately, this team made a strong impression when receiving a commitment of a 300 billion VND sponsorship package in 3 years from two large enterprises. With abundant financial resources, Binh Dinh has aggressively recruited quality players such as Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son), Hendrio, Rimario, Dang Van Lam, Tran Dinh Trong, Ha Duc Chinh...
Under coach Nguyen Duc Thang, Binh Dinh won third place in the 2022 V.League and was runner-up in the National Cup that same year. However, that achievement is not commensurate with the huge investment. More importantly, this team lacks a sustainable foundation from the youth training system to the operating apparatus to create a stable source of income in addition to sponsorship from businesses.
When the cash flow was no longer strong, the loopholes began to appear. The sponsoring company at times wanted to return the team to the province. Head coach Nguyen Duc Thang left, and many stars also left the team one after another. Although coach Bui Doan Quang Huy later helped Binh Dinh win the V.League 2023/2024 runner-up position spectacularly, that achievement could not hide the overall decline in organization and force.
Entering the 2024/25 season, due to financial reasons, Binh Dinh had to say goodbye to more than a dozen players, most of them key players. The new recruits could not fill the void and the team quickly fell into the relegation race. From being 5 points ahead of Da Nang , they did not win in the last 6 matches, only to be surpassed by Da Nang and relegated.
A team that once dreamed of winning the championship had to sadly drop down to play in the First Division. That was the inevitable consequence of an unsustainable development model. When the sponsor withdrew without a strong enough financial, technical, and human resources ecosystem, the team immediately went into a tailspin.
Weak foundation - An inherent disease
The story of Binh Dinh is a valuable lesson for football teams that only survive on money from businesses. A team that constantly changes its name (from TopenLand, MerryLand, and later Quy Nhon Binh Dinh) partly shows its dependence on short-term partners.
If they cannot find a new sponsor with enough potential and enthusiasm, and cannot rebuild in the direction of building a professional training system and club organization, the team may face the risk of dissolution and having its name removed.
In fact, not only Binh Dinh, many Vietnamese football teams have “disappeared” from the professional football map for the same reason. That is the case of the once-famous Dong Tam Long An , but because they did not have a business partner, they immediately “went downhill”, and now have to be content with playing in the First Division.
Obviously, building a professional model, having a youth training academy, having a brand development strategy and diverse financial resources are necessary conditions for a football club to exist sustainably. Clubs like Hanoi FC, The Cong, or HAGL are still standing firm in the V.League largely thanks to a systematic training system and a brand that is strong enough to attract sponsors.
The relegation of Binh Dinh is not only the story of a football team, but also reflects the weakness in the structure of domestic football competition. This season witnessed a special phenomenon: Van Hien University Club won the right to be promoted to the First Division. This is the first time a school football team has entered the professional system, a positive signal when viewed from the perspective of school sports development and the socialized investment model.
However, many are skeptical about the possibility of this club actually participating in V.League 2 next season. Financial and personnel issues are major obstacles. Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan Club was promoted but had to withdraw. Provincial teams such as Kon Tum, Ca Mau, Ba Ria - Vung Tau also refused to become professional despite meeting professional requirements.
This shows that the Vietnamese football competition system lacks strict standards for professional club qualifications. “Promotion is not difficult, but survival is the most difficult thing,” a club leader shared. While the Second Division only plays a few weeks with a small number of matches, the First Division requires a professional organization lasting 6-7 months, requiring superior financial and human resources. Allowing teams to easily be promoted and then withdraw because they cannot afford the costs is a major problem.
Expanding the issue, Vietnamese football is still steadfast in its strategy of training players instead of massive naturalization. However, when the number of clubs is small and unstable, ensuring internal strength for the national team is a difficult problem. Talking to the writer, expert Steve Darby raised the issue that Vietnamese football still produces many young talents, but not many players reach the top and even fewer players maintain their peak performance for a long time.
“The simple reason is that the quality of the V.League, the salary paid to players and the training methods are the factors that determine how long they can maintain their peak performance. I think it is necessary to review the youth training and the quality of the V.League,” said Mr. Darby.
From Binh Dinh's "fall" to Van Hien's "worry", it is time for managers to take a comprehensive look at the foundational structure of Vietnamese professional football.
There must be a support mechanism, review criteria and appropriate roadmap so that socialized entities (from businesses to universities) can participate substantially, not just "appear and then disappear".
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/bong-da-viet-va-su-nan-giai-mo-hinh-thieu-nen-tang-147539.html
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