Coach Kim Sang-sik and the touching story he told on Lunar New Year's Day, remembering his wife, children, and homeland, South Korea…

The Lunar New Year of 2026 (Year of the Horse) will be the second consecutive year that coach Kim Sang-sik celebrates the New Year in Vietnam, with special aspirations and motivation for the goal of creating a second successful phase with Vietnamese football.

Coach Kim Sang-sik was carried on the shoulders of his U22 Vietnam players after winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

He decided to bring his wife to Vietnam.

More than a year and a half has passed since his first arrival in Vietnam to take up his duties, and the Lunar New Year of 2026 will be the second time Coach Kim Sang-sik celebrates the Vietnamese traditional holiday. His initial apprehension has faded. Previously, the immense pressure of his work with the Vietnam U23 team and the senior national team occupied most of his time. Yet, as things calmed down in the chilly end-of-year weather, and he witnessed those around him busily preparing for Tet, a deep longing for home returned to him.

Coach Kim Sang-sik shared: "This will be my second time celebrating Lunar New Year in Vietnam. The first time I celebrated Lunar New Year here, I felt very homesick, especially missing my wife and children. Vietnam shares similar cultural aspects with Korea; people share gifts and enjoy delicious food together during the New Year. Witnessing that scene makes me want to fly back to my family immediately. If I have time off, the first thing I'll do is fly back to Korea to have a family meal."

I don't have many friends in Vietnam, just a few. Occasionally, when I have free time, I often meet them to chat or have a meal. This Tet holiday, if I have some free time, I would really like to meet and chat with Coach Park Hang-seo. We often have very interesting conversations about players and football leagues in Korea and Vietnam."

Coach Kim Sang-sik has helped the Vietnam U23 team mature significantly.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

Despite having won the Southeast Asian championship with both the Vietnamese national team and the U23 team, Mr. Kim still doesn't feel complete because "a very important plan is still unfinished." Family is always very important in top-level football, especially in the high-pressure position of head coach of a national team. Mr. Kim understands this well, and the time is ripe now that his children have all grown up. The former midfielder, who has 59 caps for the South Korean national team, jokingly said he will have to "rack his brains" to convince his wife to move permanently to Vietnam.

"Both of my children are in university now. My daughter just got accepted and will become a teacher, and my eldest son is studying business at university and is currently serving in the military . They're settled, so I need to talk to my wife about our plans, but first I have to go back to Korea. I'll try to convince my wife to come to Vietnam and live with me, because she's doing very well in Korea. Without me at home, she can happily go out with her friends, doesn't have to cook for me, and doesn't have to wash dishes so much… (laughs loudly)."

Actually, after receiving the invitation from Vietnam, I shared it with my wife, and she respected my decision. She thought it was a good opportunity for me to challenge myself in a new environment. I've brought my wife and family here twice before. I found everything in Vietnam very good. I really love Vietnamese pho, so my wife doesn't have to worry too much about it. Perhaps I need to buy a really special gift to convince my wife to come to Vietnam and stay long-term," the head coach of the Vietnamese national team said with a witty smile.

Vietnamese football is on the rise.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the author (right cover) during a special interview for the Year of the Horse.

Photo: Nam Linh

While coach Park Hang-seo is associated with Vietnamese football like a close, fatherly figure, often teased by his mischievous players, at 48, Kim belongs to a different generation of footballers who maintain a more measured approach. This is necessary to maintain continuous competition and to uphold the principle of selecting players based on performance rather than the fame associated with Kim Sang-sik.

It was no easy task, but it was necessary to revive the Vietnamese national team from its slump under coach Philippe Troussier. Step by step, the South Korean coach ignited a passion in the key players, while also creating a transitional foundation for the U23 Vietnamese team, which is maturing day by day, winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games and, notably, the bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Mr. Kim shared: "In daily life, I strive to be as close and connected as possible with the players to understand each other better. But when I'm on the field as a coach, I always have to maintain a reasonable distance to strictly instruct them. Early last year, I and the Vietnamese national team won the AFF Cup 2024. That was a lucky start for me in Vietnamese football."

I sincerely hope that this year we will continue to achieve good results to bring about a "second spring" for our national football. To be honest, what Coach Park Hang-seo has done for Vietnamese football is truly great. I hope to be able to follow in his footsteps. Currently, I am trying to take one step at a time to achieve my goals.

Coach Kim Sang-sik hopes Dinh Bac will have the opportunity to play football abroad.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

In my year and a half working here, I've felt that many players are not only capable of performing well in Southeast Asia but also in larger Asian leagues. Successes like winning the Southeast Asian Championship will give these players more confidence for bigger stages like the 2027 Asian Cup or the dream of the 2030 World Cup. I believe Vietnamese players can create miracles if they know how to and persistently improve their shortcomings."

Mong Dinh Bac wants to go abroad.

Coach Kim Sang-sik shared that the cultural similarities between the two countries helped him adapt very quickly to life in Vietnam, further extending the special relationship between football in the two countries. "In particular, the assistants and coaching staff have helped a lot and contributed to my successes in this S-shaped land."

Through the special football connection between Vietnam and South Korea, like Kim Dong-su playing for HAGL and now Da Nang , or Xuan Truong and Van Toan who once played in the K-League, I hope that more Vietnamese players will come to South Korea to play. I highly appreciate Dinh Bac's potential and believe he has the ability to play football abroad, of course with the support of CAHN Club.

"I see Dinh Bac as a talented player; if he continues to develop well, he could play for clubs in South Korea, Japan, or Europe. In addition, there are Thanh Nhan and center-backs Ly Duc and Hieu Minh who have excellent physiques. They could start in K-League 2 or J-League, adapt from there, and gradually develop to higher leagues," Mr. Kim said.

Coach Kim Sang-sik has escaped the shadow of his predecessor, Park Hang-seo.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

The progress of the Vietnam U23 team, achieving third place in Asia, will be key for coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese national team to realize their dream of participating in the 2030 World Cup. In 2026, the Vietnamese national team will welcome back players like Xuan Son and Van Hau, and introduce talented newcomers such as Hoang Hen, Phi Long, and Le Giang Patrick.

Mr. Kim expects the entire team to uphold the spirit of unity and determination so that the Vietnamese national team can make a breakthrough: "The players in the Vietnamese national team and the U23 Vietnamese team are making great progress, and their skill level is constantly improving. The trend of naturalization in Southeast Asia is strong and is supported by governments through policy."

Therefore, if domestic and naturalized players connect well, we will develop better. The pressure in the role of head coach of the national team is immense. However, the players are performing and playing very well, so I always have more expectations and excitement than worry.

"The players and I will try to improve on our shortcomings to make the team stronger in the future. The more talented players we have like Xuan Son, Van Hau, Hoang Hen, Phi Long, Le Giang, etc., the more the Vietnamese national team will develop. Unity is crucial. Healthy competition among the players will further motivate the national team to pursue higher and more ambitious dreams, such as the 2030 World Cup."

New Year's greetings from Coach Kim Sang-sik

When I heard that Thanh Nien Newspaper invited me for an interview, I immediately accepted. I sincerely hope that Vietnamese youth will always strive to make the country more prosperous. I will always support you throughout your journey ahead, with the hope that together we will welcome a prosperous new spring for Vietnam.

They will perform a dance to show their gratitude to Vietnamese fans.

From the AFF Cup 2024 concluding in early 2025, to the U.23 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 in Indonesia in July, the U.23 Asian Championship 2026 qualifiers in September, and the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers in Ho Chi Minh City… Vietnamese fans have shown strong support, attending matches to encourage the players in large numbers.

On behalf of the team, I would like to express my gratitude to the numerous fans who have always supported and accompanied the national teams. As the New Year approaches, I wish all Vietnamese fans good health and a warm, joyful Tet holiday with friends and family.

Winning a championship is very difficult; it's not something you can achieve just whenever you want. Therefore, if I have the chance, I would love to recreate the dance with you all to celebrate the Vietnamese national team's victory.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-va-cau-chuyen-xuc-dong-duoc-ke-trong-ngay-tet-nho-vo-con-va-que-huong-han-quoc-185260215210044908.htm