Since returning to Viettel FC in December 2022, what has coach Thach Bao Khanh accomplished? He has placed his trust in domestic players and given some opportunities to young talents. He has tried to build a team that adheres to a philosophy of beautiful, dedicated, and disciplined play to meet the expectations of the fans. However, life is not always a dream. Viettel FC has only won 3 matches, drawn 6, and lost 2, scoring 11 goals and conceding 10 in 11 games. Viettel FC has won matches that few expected them to win, but has drawn and lost matches where they were expected to perform well. Sometimes, watching Viettel FC this season, fans find it monotonous and lacking in breakthroughs.

Coach Thach Bao Khanh.

Viettel FC's goal of finishing in the top 3 and competing for the V-League 2023 championship is becoming increasingly distant. Although currently ranked 5th, Viettel FC's points total is the same as that of 8th-placed Thép Xanh Nam Định (both with 15 points). In their final two matches of the first phase of V-League 2023, Viettel FC will face Becamex Bình Dương and Ho Chi Minh City FC – two teams battling to avoid relegation. Therefore, no one can guarantee that the military team will win these two matches.

If Viettel FC fails to finish in the top 8 after the first phase, will coach Thach Bao Khanh retain his position? Logically, a financially strong and ambitious team like Viettel FC would find it difficult to accept the prospect of having to worry about relegation. However, emotionally, coach Thach Bao Khanh is still well-liked by the management and his players. Moreover, the coach is effectively utilizing the talents of young players, given that Viettel FC possesses many promising talents who have proven their worth at various national team levels, such as Nham Manh Dung, Tran Danh Trung, Nguyen Huu Thang, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Phan Tuan Tai, and Khuat Van Khang.

There was a time when Viettel FC's leadership was determined to only use homegrown players, but that plan was thwarted by the harsh realities of the V-League. After a relatively quiet 2023 V-League transfer window, the goal of utilizing many talented players trained by Viettel FC itself became even more difficult. Recently, the military team added foreign player Mohamed Essam, a former teammate of star Mohamed Salah at Arab Contractors FC, hoping to improve their performance.

If Viettel FC finishes in the top 8 after the first phase of V-League 2023, it would be great news. However, if the military team has to fight to avoid relegation in the second phase, coach Thach Bao Khanh's future will become uncertain. Viettel FC might resort to their old tactic of seeking luck from the technical director, or even the Deputy Director of the Viettel Sports Center, Nguyen Hai Bien, might personally take charge. In football, nothing can be predicted, and Viettel FC fans will hold their breath waiting for the results of the next two matches.

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