This development once again demonstrates that a solid financial foundation and an effective youth training system remain key factors determining the sustainability of football clubs.
Consequences of an unsustainable model
The relegation of Quy Nhon Binh Dinh FC is a sad outcome, but not entirely unexpected for those who have followed the ups and downs of the team from the martial arts land over the years. From the peak of expectations, the team quickly fell into financial crisis and then experienced a continuous, uncontrolled decline.
Remember, in 2021, Binh Dinh returned to the V.League after a 12-year absence. Immediately, the team made a strong impression when they received a 300 billion VND sponsorship commitment over 3 years from two major businesses. With abundant financial resources, Binh Dinh boldly recruited a quality squad of players such as Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son), Hendrio, Rimario, Dang Van Lam, Tran Dinh Trong, Ha Duc Chinh...
Under coach Nguyen Duc Thang, Binh Dinh finished third in the V.League 2022 and was runner-up in the National Cup that same year. However, that achievement was not commensurate with the huge investment. More importantly, the team lacked a sustainable foundation – from a youth training system to an operational structure to generate stable revenue in addition to corporate sponsorship.
When the cash flow slowed down, the cracks began to appear. The sponsoring company even considered returning the team to the province. Head coach Nguyen Duc Thang left, and many star players also departed. Although coach Bui Doan Quang Huy later led Binh Dinh to a spectacular runner-up finish in the 2023-2024 V.League season, that achievement could not mask the overall decline in organization and personnel.
Entering the 2024-2025 season, due to financial reasons, Binh Dinh had to part ways with more than a dozen players, mostly key players. The new recruits could not fill that void, and the team quickly fell into a relegation battle. From being 5 points ahead ofSHB Da Nang, they failed to win in the last 6 matches, and were eventually overtaken by SHB Da Nang and relegated.
At the end of the season, Binh Dinh finished last in the standings. A team that once dreamed of winning the championship had to reluctantly play in the First Division; this was the inevitable consequence of an unsustainable development model. When the sponsoring company withdrew, without a strong financial, technical, and human resources ecosystem, the team immediately plummeted.
Relying solely on businesses is not enough.
The story of Binh Dinh serves as a valuable lesson for football teams that rely solely on funding from businesses. A team that has repeatedly changed its name – from TopenLand, MerryLand, and later Quy Nhon Binh Dinh – demonstrates a significant dependence on short-term business partnerships. Without finding a new sponsor with sufficient resources and commitment, and without restructuring towards building a truly professional training system and club organization, the team could face dissolution and the loss of its official name.
In fact, it's not just Binh Dinh; many Vietnamese football teams have "disappeared" from the "professional football map" for similar reasons. This is the case with Dong Tam Long An , once a glorious team, which immediately declined due to a lack of business support and is now content to play in the First Division.
Clearly, building a professional model, having a youth academy, a brand development strategy, and diverse financial resources are essential conditions for a football club to thrive. Clubs like Hanoi FC, The Cong Viettel , or even Hoang Anh Gia Lai have remained strong in the V.League largely thanks to their well-structured training systems and strong brands that attract sponsorship.
Although Hanoi FC no longer offers free tickets to matches like in its early stages, the team has sent a message that fans who love the team should buy tickets to watch live. And, on the team's fan page, the fans themselves support this. They encourage each other not to buy counterfeit merchandise to support the team, but to buy from the club's official store to show their support. This is a positive sign, partly demonstrating Hanoi FC's sustainable development direction.
According to football expert Phan Anh Tú, to develop professional football, one cannot forever depend on businesses. When a team lacks a sustainable development roadmap, fails to build internal strength through a systematic training system, lacks a clear financial strategy, and relies entirely on funding from sponsors, the risk of decline can occur at any time.
"The 'Binh Dinh lesson' this season isn't just for one team, but for all clubs that want to stand firm at the highest level of Vietnamese football."
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/v-league-2024-2025-ket-thuc-van-la-bai-toan-xay-nha-tu-mong-707105.html
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