VFF can appoint an interim coach for the Vietnamese team if it has not yet found a suitable candidate to sign an official contract. In the current situation, the option of choosing a temporary coach for 2 matches is likely to happen.
The next series of international matches starts from June 3 (according to the official schedule of the World Football Federation - FIFA). Before that, VFF must have a coaching staff and a list of players registered with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Thus, the time for VFF to find candidates, evaluate, negotiate and sign contracts is only about 2 months, not to mention newcomers also need time to learn and prepare for the job. Therefore, choosing an interim coach for the Vietnamese team is a more feasible option.
VFF must urgently find a replacement for Mr. Troussier.
For the "firefighting" role in 2 matches, one of the factors that should be prioritized is familiarity. Normally, football federations will choose people who have worked at the national team level, or invite a domestic coach.
Below are a few names mentioned by experts and fans.
Coach Park Hang Seo
This may be the first option that fans think of for the position of interim head coach of the Vietnamese team. Coach Park Hang Seo is ready to return to coaching. The Korean coach is not currently leading any team.
Mr. Park just left the Vietnamese team more than a year ago. He did not need much time to get used to his old job again.
The biggest problem is what Mr. Park and VFF want. In addition, the salary for the Korean coach - even for just 2 matches - is not necessarily a small number.
Many fans called for coach Park Hang Seo to return to the Vietnamese team.
Coach Velizar Popov
The Bulgarian coach impressed at the Thanh Hoa club. On social networks, many fans "recommended" Mr. Popov to replace coach Troussier before the match the Vietnamese team lost 0-3 to Indonesia on March 26.
However, Mr. Popov is also a coach who likes to build a proactive style of play. He needs time for the players to "absorb" the philosophy and playing style. In addition, this coach's personality and hot temper are also risks when working with stars who are not his students at Thanh Hoa Club.
Coach Popov impressed at Thanh Hoa Club.
Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem
The head coach of Hai Phong Club is the most prestigious "internal teacher" at the present time. His mark in Hanoi FC's golden period is very clear. When moving to Hai Phong Club, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem also created a characteristic control-oriented style of play, although the quality of the squad was not as good as that of the old team.
Like coach Popov, Mr. Nghiem also tends to build a proactive, long-term playing style, not a strategy to solve 1-2 matches. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's advantage is that many factors are in the national team that previously played for Hanoi FC and the current Hai Phong Club.
The head coach of Hai Phong Club is the most prestigious "internal teacher" at the present time.
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan
Many teams around the world, when needing an interim coach, will appoint someone in charge of the youth team. Coach Hwang Sun-hong in Korea today and Gareth Southgate when he first led the England team in 2016 are examples.
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan will likely be the first person chosen to replace coach Troussier. According to VTC News sources, Mr. Tuan is about to be appointed to lead U23 Vietnam for the 23 U2024 Asian qualifiers (taking place next month).
The Khanh Hoa coach has worked with VFF for many years, in charge of the U20 and U23 teams since last year. In addition, the stars of the 1997-1999 national team were also students of coach Hoang Anh Tuan at the youth level.
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan has led Vietnamese youth teams for many years.
Coach Alexandre Polking
Mr. Polking can be a "kill two birds with one stone" solution for VFF. The German coach has experience working in Vietnam and does not have a new team after parting ways with the Thai team at the end of 2023.
Appointing Coach Polking as interim coach for 2 matches to evaluate and calculate long-term if there are positive results is not a bad idea. The former head coach of the Thai team was also in a similar situation when he accepted a short-term contract with the Golden Temple team in 2021.
Coach Polking affirmed his ability in the Thai team.
