Overwhelming pressure
From the very beginning of the season, a wave of changes has been occurring in many teams. From Ninh Binh , Thanh Hoa, SLNA to Becamex Ho Chi Minh City and Nam Dinh, the list of coaches coming and going has been constantly growing. Some leave because of unsatisfactory results, some because they don't fit the club's direction, and some simply because they can't adapt to the Vietnamese football environment. A common thread is that the tenure of many coaches, especially foreign coaches, is getting shorter and shorter. A few losses, a period of poor performance, are enough to put their positions in jeopardy.
Coach Le Huynh Duc, a coach who has won the V-League twice, also had an unsuccessful season while leading Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
The case of coach Mauro Jeronimo is a clear example of the harsh realities of the V-League. After a relatively stable period working in an environment with many young players like PVF-CAND, he was expected to make his mark at an ambitious team with many stars like Nam Dinh. However, reality did not live up to expectations. Controlling the locker room, harmonizing player personalities, and the pressure to achieve results prevented him from fully utilizing his abilities. He had to leave, and the team returned to coach Vu Hong Viet, who had a better understanding of the internal workings. Young coaches like Nguyen Cong Manh ( Ha Tinh FC), Thach Bao Khanh (PVF-CAND), or "brand new" faces in Vietnamese football like Choi Won-kwon (Thanh Hoa FC) and Gerard Albadalejo (Ninh Binh FC) also couldn't last until the end of the season. Most recently, yesterday afternoon (May 5th), coach Le Huynh Duc also reached an agreement to terminate his contract with Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
COMMON POINTS AND EXCEPTIONS
The coaches who have stayed and performed well all share a common trait: extensive experience and a deep understanding of the Vietnamese football environment. Excluding domestic coaches, Alexandre Polking stands out. With many years working in Thailand and facing Vietnamese players numerous times, he understands the characteristics of Southeast Asian players in general and Vietnamese players in particular, the way the league operates, and non-technical factors. When leading Hanoi Police FC, Coach Polking not only built a clear playing style but also created stability. Similarly, Coach Velizar Popov, having worked in Myanmar, is no stranger to regional football and knows how to adapt to the conditions in Vietnam. His ability to build a system, convey his philosophy, and maintain stability has made Popov one of the most successful coaches in the V-League, from Thanh Hoa FC to The Cong Viettel .
However, the 2025-2026 season also witnessed a notable exception: Coach Harry Kewell at Hanoi FC. Despite lacking experience in Vietnam or Southeast Asia, the former Australian star quickly made his mark. Under Coach Kewell, Hanoi FC played with improved performance, efficiency, and energy. His arrival is not only a personal highlight but also opens up an exciting prospect for the championship race next season.
The changes in coaching positions show that the V-League is a true "test of survival." For foreign coaches, entering this league without a foundational understanding of Vietnamese football is almost tantamount to putting themselves in a difficult position. And only those who understand the game or adapt quickly, like Coach Kewell, can stand firm in that harsh environment.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/v-league-qua-khac-nghiet-voi-cac-hlv-185260505205430245.htm
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