Hanoi Football Club introduces coach Harry Kewell: Aspiration to reach continental level

Faith in Harry Kewell

The launching ceremony of Coach Harry Kewell was attended by Ms. Gillian Bird - Australian Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Do Vinh Quang - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of T&T Group , Chairman of Hanoi Football Club, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Nghi - Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy General Director of the Group, representatives of Hanoi Football Club players, Hanoi Fan Club, and a large number of press and media.

Hanoi Football Club President Do Vinh Quang and new coach Harry Kewell on the launch day

The fact that a world football icon like Harry Kewell came to work in Vietnam is not just a coaching contract, but a strategic event, reflecting the aspiration to rise and integrate more deeply of Hanoi Football Club in particular and Vietnamese football in general with the region and continent.

In the 2000s, Harry Kewell was a familiar face in the Premier League, symbolizing a generation of talented and disciplined players in Australian football. Harry Kewell once reached the semi-finals of the Champions League 2000/01 with Leeds United. With Liverpool, the Australian football legend also won the Champions League 2004/05.

After retiring, Harry Kewell embarked on a coaching career in England – a place that requires strict expertise, processes and football management thinking. He has held roles at Crawley Town, Oldham Athletic, Barnet and Watford, and is highly regarded for his ability to inspire, develop young players and build a team culture based on professionalism. Harry Kewell also served as assistant to coach Ange Postecoglou at Celtic (Scotland) in 2022, before taking on the position of coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in early 2024 and helping the Japanese team win the runner-up position in the AFC Champions League 2023/2024.

Now, when arriving in Hanoi, Harry Kewell brings with him not only his reputation, but also his experience from the harsh Premier League environment, along with a coaching philosophy forged at European and Japanese clubs - something that Vietnamese football needs to transform.

Sharing about his decision to come to Vietnam, coach Harry Kewell said he was impressed by the ambition and direction of Hanoi FC: “When I had the opportunity to negotiate with Hanoi FC, based on their ambition, I felt very excited. Hanoi wants to build its identity and pride. This is not an easy job but I want to enjoy this challenge. I want to convey to the players the spirit of learning every day to improve themselves. That is the way of working I always pursue.”

Talking about the pressure in the new environment, coach Harry Kewell affirmed: “For me, football always has pressure. When I came to Hanoi, I knew every little detail had to be done well. I always try my best every day and expect the players to do the same. Pressure brings me excitement. I looked forward to that when I decided to come here.”

New coach Harry Kewell speaks at the event

Aspirations of Hanoi Football Club

Chairman of Hanoi Football Club, Mr. Do Vinh Quang said: “Hanoi Football Club is entering a new phase – a phase of modern thinking, discipline and professionalism. The appointment of Mr. Harry Kewell is part of a long-term strategy for the Club to transform itself according to international standards.

We do not focus on short-term achievements, but focus on building a sustainable foundation, helping Hanoi Football Club to compete equally at the regional and continental levels in the future."

Hanoi Football Club President Do Vinh Quang speaks at the event

Mr. Do Vinh Quang also shared the consistent message that the club has always maintained for nearly two decades: “At Hanoi Football Club, there is only one star – the team . No individual is bigger than the club, no one is above the spirit of solidarity and humility. That spirit is the brightest 'star' of Hanoi Football Club. I believe that Mr. Harry Kewell – with a European mindset and a heart for collective values – will sympathize and continue this tradition.”

The President of Hanoi Football Club also expressed his impression of the new coach's preparation and dedication: "Before coming to Vietnam, Mr. Kewell spent time watching and analyzing all of Hanoi Football Club's matches last season. He clearly grasped the strengths and weaknesses, and gave specific development directions. That shows that he came to us with professionalism, planning and confidence in the future."

The launch event of coach Harry Kewell had special significance as it took place under the witness of Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird , opening a new page in sports cooperation between the two countries.

“We believe that the presence of an Australian coach at Hanoi Football Club is not only a football story, but also a symbol of the cooperation, friendship and people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Australia,” Mr. Do Vinh Quang emphasized.

“Harry Kewell is not only a world-class coach, but also a bridge to promote understanding, cooperation and develop common values between two potential football cultures.”

T&T Group and Hanoi FC wish to accompany the Australian Embassy, as well as partners from the land of kangaroos, to expand exchange programs, training and cultural and sports development between the two countries.

Since its inception in 2006, Hanoi Football Club has won 6 V-League championships, 2 National Cups, 5 National Super Cups, and is the team that has contributed the most national team players for many consecutive years. In the 20th year of its development, not only aiming to maintain its position domestically, Hanoi Football Club still aspires to reach out to the continent. In that context, the appointment of coach Harry Kewell, an Australian football legend who has fought in the Premier League as well as the World Cup, is a step that shows the great desire and determination to change of the capital team.

Under the leadership of coach Harry Kewell, Hanoi FC hopes to build a modern, fast-paced, proactive pressing football style – imbued with European influences but still retaining the technical and skillful soul of Vietnamese players.

Moreover, Kewell is also expected to inspire the entire youth training system. A person who has experienced the pinnacle of Europe understands that success does not come from a single star but from a united, confident and disciplined team. And that is exactly what Hanoi FC has pursued throughout the journey of nearly two decades.

A boost for V-League, Vietnamese football

Vietnamese football has made a strong mark at the national team level in the past 10 years, but at the club level, international integration remains a big challenge. Most domestic teams still operate in a traditional way, lacking depth in training science, data and human management.

The appearance of a coach who has played and coached in the Premier League environment in the V-League is a necessary "push", motivating Vietnamese players to change their training mindset, playing style and aspiration to reach out to the international level. For Vietnamese football, this is the beginning of a wave of integration, where modern football coaching and management skills are spread deeper into the clubs.

When Harry Kewell stepped onto Hang Day Stadium, it was not just the image of a foreign coach, but a symbol of confidence: that Vietnamese football has enough potential, enough appeal to attract the world's big names.

Bringing international figures like Harry Kewell to the V-League not only helps to enhance the image of the tournament, but also creates a bridge for Vietnamese football to be more widely known on the regional and world football map.

Source: https://www.ttgroup.com.vn/club-bong-da-ha-noi-ra-mat-hlv-harry-kewell-khat-vong-vuon-tam-chau-luc