Under the scorching sun on the pitch, one figure was always seen tirelessly along the sidelines: Coach Le Huu Phat. He didn't choose to sit quietly in the technical area; instead, his footsteps were rapid, his hands raised, and his shouts of instructions echoed across the field. This fiery passion served as a source of motivation, flowing from the head coach to the feet of the student players on the pitch.
Coach Le Huu Phat is always full of personality right on the sidelines.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
Regarding his passionate coaching style, Coach Le Huu Phat revealed: "That passionate style stems from two reasons. Firstly, I've always been like that, even when I was a professional player. Secondly, I'm influenced by the legendary coach Jose Mourinho, whom I've admired since childhood and consider my biggest idol." According to the head coach of Dong Nai University of Technology, he likes "The Special One"—the nickname of Coach Jose Mourinho—because of his "unique coaching style and team formation." From the Portuguese coach, Coach Huu Phat has learned a great deal about how to inspire and create passion in his players on the field. Meanwhile, the Dong Nai University of Technology players are already very familiar with the image of a strict but passionate coach. "My decisive coaching style doesn't put pressure on the players; on the contrary, it helps the young players focus more and gives them more motivation to push their limits," Coach Huu Phat affirmed.
Before stepping onto the coaching bench, Coach Le Huu Phat was a true warrior on the professional football field. Born and raised in Dong Nai, he showed early talent and, along with the Dong Nai U.19 team, won the national championship in 2007. His playing career then took him to compete on the V-League pitches. Those years in the high-level football environment forged Le Huu Phat into a strong and experienced player. After ending his playing career, fate led him to the teaching profession. From a professional player, he transitioned to working with student football and found enjoyment in this work.
Under the guidance of coach Le Huu Phat, the Dong Nai University of Technology team has consistently been a formidable force in recent seasons of the TNSV THACO Cup. After their first appearance (2023), the Dong Nai University of Technology team has reached the finals for two consecutive seasons: Season II - 2024 and Season III - 2025. Notably, in Season II - 2024, the Dong Nai University of Technology team impressively reached the semi-finals and finished in third place overall. Currently, Coach Huu Phat's team has the opportunity to secure a spot in the finals for the third consecutive time. In Group 6 of the Ho Chi Minh City regional qualifiers for the TNSV THACO Cup 2026, the Dong Nai University of Technology team earned a place in the play-offs with a perfect record of three wins out of three matches.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-dac-biet-cua-bong-da-sinh-vien-185260121215819443.htm
