Former football star Nguyen Van Vinh has passed away.

Cựu danh thủ Nguyễn Văn Vinh qua đời - Ảnh 1. — Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh (right) and commentator Ngo Quang Tung - Photo: FBNV

At 3:30 AM on February 25th, former football legend Nguyen Van Vinh passed away at the age of 85 in Ho Chi Minh City. He was one of the first generation of young players trained by The Cong Football Club and made many contributions to Vietnamese football in various capacities.

"We mourn the loss of a senior figure who shared so many memories and lessons, a beloved student and junior of Coach Quynh. May Coach Vinh "Tau" rest in peace. The Cong will always remember him, and so will the rest of Vietnamese football," commentator Ngo Quang Tung wrote on his personal Facebook page.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh had a rather illustrious playing career while playing for The Cong Club before 1975. He is considered one of the outstanding players of the North, alongside famous former players such as Le The Tho and Tran Duy Long. After liberation, he and his family moved to Ho Chi Minh City to live.

Transitioning to coaching, Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh has led many clubs, including major teams such as the Army, Ho Chi Minh City Food Industry, and Ho Chi Minh City Police. He also served on the national team's coaching staff for the SEA Games alongside coaches Tran Binh Su and Pham Huynh Tam Lang.

Advisor to bầu Đức (Chairman Đức)

But he is best remembered for his time as Technical Director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club in the 2000s, at the invitation of club owner Doan Nguyen Duc.

Working alongside former football legend Kiatisak Senamuang (Thailand), he led Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club to a glorious era, winning two national championships, the Super Cup, and representing Vietnam in the Southeast Asian Champions League in Indonesia.

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai Arsenal - JMG Academy was established in 2007 and operated effectively, bearing his mark before he retired in 2009. However, he occasionally still accompanies Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club in scouting for the next generation of players.

Although he has retired from football, Mr. Vinh occasionally participates in football commentary when reporters call him to discuss a particular issue in Vietnamese football, or when he comes to the studio to comment.

Illness and increasing age gradually led Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh to withdraw completely from his familiar commentary work. And now he has peacefully passed away. Farewell to him - a man who made so many contributions to Vietnamese football.