Bracing ourselves against the storm
The history of Thanh Hoa football has not been without its ups and downs. In 1994, Thanh Hoa, then known as the Thanh Hoa Police Club, disbanded due to inconsistent performance. Six years later, the Provincial Department of Sports and Physical Education re-established the Thanh Hoa team, which began playing in the Second Division in the 2000/01 season.
In 2009, a cement sponsor "pulled the plug" while the season was still underway. Thanh Hoa had to transfer management to the Provincial People's Committee. Three months after this incident, because The Cong had its name revoked and did not want to continue playing professionally, the Thanh Hoa provincial leadership decided to take over the military team's playing rights. A series of changes with different names and sponsors subsequently took place in Thanh Hoa football. But to this day, the club still participates in the V.League.
For the 2025/2026 season, Thanh Hoa announced a change in its logo. This marks the ninth time in history that fans have witnessed their beloved team adjust its identity, alongside ambitions, stature, and name… Thanh Hoa also made a significant impact on the transfer market by bringing in national team player Que Ngoc Hai. Before his arrest, Mr. Cao Tien Doan, then chairman, declared that the team would demonstrate unity, resilience, and never give up; always playing with a burning passion and pride.
But not long after, "Chairman" Doan was arrested for involvement in legal violations. The Thanh Hoa team began to struggle. This season alone, Thanh Hoa has been banned from transfers by FIFA twice due to financial issues and player compensation problems.
Between the two transfer windows of the season, Thanh Hoa witnessed the departure of a number of famous players. These include Hoang Thai Binh, Que Ngoc Hai, Ribamar, Nguyen Thai Son, and Le Van Thuan. At least, their departures didn't result in Thanh Hoa losing them for free. The clubs that recruited these players, including Ninh Binh and Da Nang, also spent a considerable amount of money on transfer fees.
From this amount, Thanh Hoa was able to partially pay off debts related to facilities, operations, salaries, and bonuses for players and staff. However, that was still not enough to help Thanh Hoa overcome the crisis.
Concerns about dissolution
I recall that after the courageous 2-2 draw against Nam Dinh in Round 12 of the V.League 2025/26, Coach Mai Xuan Hop appealed to the media for help. He said: “We took to the field with only 13-14 players, but the dedication of the players is truly commendable. Some had sprained ankles, some had high fevers, some had knee pain, but they still tried their best to play. Thanh Hoa Club is facing many financial difficulties. I earnestly hope to receive attention and support from benefactors, provincial leaders, and relevant departments and agencies. This is an urgent issue because we don't have much time left. The club owes salaries, fees, and bonuses. The players are mainly relying on their spirit, which is a huge disadvantage.”
The second step in Thanh Hoa's efforts to weather the storm was unsuccessful. Following coach Mai Xuan Hop's hopes, the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a statement that the team's performance did not meet expectations. Ultimately, Thanh Hoa Club had to proactively mobilize legitimate social resources to persevere through the difficult times.
Thanh Hoa has no other option but to return to saving itself. However, the team no longer has many star players or promising young talents to transfer to other clubs in search of a "lifeline." Internal meetings are held constantly. Solutions have also been proposed by passionate fans through various media channels. But to date, the Thanh Hoa team has yet to come up with a plan to escape its financial crisis.
Thanh Hoa's last glimmer of hope perhaps comes from a local news report. According to the report, the club is reportedly about to receive a large sponsorship package from a reputable bank, seen as a "lifeline" during this critical period. If this materializes, the new funding could help the team partially resolve salary debts, stabilize the squad, and create a foundation to focus on the goal of avoiding relegation. However, to date, Thanh Hoa has not received any clear confirmation from the aforementioned bank.
Over the past six years, Vietnamese football has witnessed a continuous disappearance of professional clubs from the map. In 2021, it was Tay Ninh. A year later, An Giang quietly left the professional system. In 2023, Saigon FC and Can Tho became a thing of the past. The following year, Binh Thuan did not participate in the First Division due to financial difficulties. The very next season, Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan also withdrew from the professional system for the same reason. This year's story with Hoa Binh, Quang Nam, and Binh Phuoc also stems from the fact that club owners no longer have a clear direction and investment plan.
Could that story happen in Thanh Hoa?
Bubble with the Club
Over two decades of V.League operation, numerous teams have been forced out of professional football due to a lack of financial resources, from paying salaries and bonuses to staff and the ability to reinvest in the team. Despite arguments about increasing revenue from television rights, commercials, and ticket sales, history shows an undeniable reality: a strong club owner leads to a strong team, while a weak owner leads to a struggling team.
Discussing this issue, Mr. Le Minh Dung - former CEO of Can Tho Club - once posed a poignant question: "Football has regulations to protect players and coaches. But what happens if a team truly runs out of money?" Ultimately, the answer boils down to two possibilities: either wait for a "lifeline," or accept the end of its existence.
Source: https://cand.com.vn/the-thao/clb-thanh-hoa-tim-cach-tu-cuu-minh-i796336/
Comment (0)