Strategic turning point

VHO - On the afternoon of October 5th, the appearance of Harry Kewell (former Liverpool star, 2005 Champions League winner) in Hanoi not only caused a stir in Vietnamese football but also opened a new chapter in the journey of affirming the position of Hanoi FC in particular and the V.League in general.

Coach Harry Kewell was greeted by fans on the afternoon of October 5th at Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi . Photo: Hanoi FC

Chairman Hien's decision to go all-in to bring in a big name from Europe is seen by many as a risky gamble. But looking deeper, this is a strategic move demonstrating a long-term vision: using the allure of an international star to create a strong boost for domestic football.

The presence of Harry Kewell immediately brought immeasurable value to Hanoi FC and the V.League as a whole. First of all, in terms of image and brand, having a coach who has competed in the English Premier League and the World Cup makes Hanoi FC stand out.

From a media perspective, this is a "golden shower" that helps the club gain international media coverage, elevating the status not only of the Hanoi team but also of the V.League, which has always craved attention from beyond its borders.

Domestically, after the news broke that this coach would be leading Hanoi FC, the capital city's football club immediately became the focus of media attention, as articles on the topic attracted a large readership. In terms of media coverage, Hanoi FC benefited from this spectacular collaboration with Chairman Hien.

Secondly, from a professional standpoint, Kewell brings a modern coaching philosophy, drawn from the world's leading football environments. His experience as an assistant coach at Celtic (a top Scottish club) and coaching Yokohama F. Marinos (AFC Champions League runner-up 2023/2024) has given him invaluable knowledge to build a systematic, fast-paced, and highly competitive playing style. This is precisely the piece that Vietnamese football has always craved – a radical shift in tactical thinking, instead of relying solely on excitement or reactive experience.

Thirdly, the arrival of a European-level coach could boost the youth development ecosystem. Working alongside Technical Director Yusuke Adachi, Coach Kewell could create a bridge between the first team and the youth ranks, shaping a consistent playing style.

From a broader perspective, Mr. Hien's decision also carries symbolic value. It shows that Vietnamese football is attractive enough to draw in legendary names from Europe.

Of course, every "gamble" carries risks. What's causing public debate is Kewell's level of understanding of Vietnamese football. Will a coach with experience in Europe and Japan be quick enough to adapt to the V.League environment, where pressure to achieve results, pitch conditions, and even refereeing remain complex challenges?

Besides, the cost of bringing Kewell in is certainly not small. Given that many Vietnamese clubs are still facing financial difficulties, this "huge" investment by Chairman Hien has led some to question whether the effectiveness on the field will justify the amount of money spent.

However, these concerns represent only a small fraction of the confidence and expectations. The history of world football shows that many foreign coaches from different backgrounds have succeeded by daring to introduce innovation. More importantly, Hanoi FC already possesses one of the highest-quality squads in the V.League, from domestic stars to experienced foreign players, providing Kewell with ample opportunity to implement his tactical ideas.

Moreover, this all-in move isn't simply aimed at short-term success. It's a long-term plan to transform the club, turning Hanoi FC into a modern team capable of competing in the AFC Champions League and becoming a source of pride for Vietnamese football on the international stage.

The Harry Kewell incident in Hanoi is proof of the great ambition of Chairman Hien and Hanoi FC: not to accept stagnation, not to be content with being number one in the country, but to aim for a broader vision. This "all-in" move may contain risks, but it is precisely within this risk that lies the opportunity for breakthrough.

Vietnamese football needs groundbreaking steps to reach the continental stage. Hanoi FC, under the leadership of Harry Kewell, may not immediately transform the team's image, but it will certainly instill confidence, inspire creativity, and raise the standards of the entire V.League. In this gamble, Chairman Hien is not only betting on Hanoi FC, but also on the aspiration for integration and the advancement of Vietnamese football.

Coach Harry Kewell, born in 1978, is a familiar name to many Vietnamese football fans. In his international career, the Australian football legend made 56 appearances for the national team, scoring 17 goals and participating in two World Cups (2006 and 2010). At the club level, Harry Kewell rose to prominence in the English Premier League playing for Leeds United and Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2004/2005 and the FA Cup in 2005/2006. After retiring at the age of 36, Harry Kewell began his coaching career in 2017, managing clubs in England such as Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, and Barnet. In 2022, he joined the coaching staff of Celtic FC (Scotland) as an assistant to coach Ange Postecoglou, before taking over as head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in early 2024. Under his leadership, the Japanese team finished as runners-up in the AFC Champions League 2023/2024.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/buoc-ngoat-chien-luoc-172676.html