Following the success of former Vietnam national football team coach Park Hang-seo and current coach Kim Sang-sik, attention has turned to the factors behind their achievements. The leadership of both coaches, along with the support from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), has been identified as a key element in the team's success.
On October 16, local media outlet An Ninh Thu Do reported that both coaches credited the support from federation officials and the efforts of the players as crucial to their victories. They emphasized that the team's achievements were not solely due to individual capabilities.
Park led the Vietnam national team to victory in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup (formerly known as the Suzuki Cup) in 2018. Vietnam returned to the top of Southeast Asian football after defeating Malaysia in the finals, marking a decade since their last championship. While Park's tactics and the players' performances were highlighted, the robust support from the federation during the tournament preparation and operations also played a significant role.
After the victory, Park expressed gratitude for the contributions of federation officials. On December 15, 2018, after securing the AFF Cup title, he presented his gold medal to Tran Quoc Tuan, who was then the vice president in charge of specialized areas and is now the current president of VFF. In April of the following year, he publicly acknowledged that the team's success was made possible through the collaboration of various stakeholders.
Park stated, "The remarkable achievement was possible because everyone came together to create victory. I did my best as a coach on the field, while federation officials fulfilled their duties and responsibilities off the field." He noted that the support from players, coaching staff, federation employees, and fans were all vital components of the championship.
Continued Success Under Kim Sang-sik; Emphasis on Federation Support
Vietnam football has continued to achieve success under the leadership of Korean coaches following Park's tenure. Since Kim took over as head coach, the collaboration between the team and the federation has become a fundamental operational foundation. Kim also expressed gratitude to the VFF leadership and staff after winning the ASEAN Cup, acknowledging the significant role of off-field preparations and support in achieving the team's success.
Managing a national team involves various tasks beyond tactical training and player management. Key responsibilities include scheduling training sessions, coordinating friendly matches, arranging travel and accommodations for away games, and negotiating player call-ups with clubs. Effective administrative support from the federation is essential for coaching staff to focus on tactics and game preparations. A stable environment allows players to train effectively and prepare for major competitions, linking systematic operations closely to the team's competitiveness.
Currently, the VFF, led by Tran Quoc Tuan, oversees the management of the national team and football administration as a whole. However, the team's success is a collective result involving not only the federation's management but also the players, coaching staff, and clubs, highlighting the importance of collaboration across the organization.
Vietnam football faces the challenge of translating the successes achieved with Korean coaches into long-term development. Strengthening the foundation of domestic football is crucial, alongside the national team's performance in international competitions. The VFF's ninth executive committee has identified the national team's victories as a key achievement, while future priorities include youth player development, women's football advancement, and improvements in domestic league operations.
Additionally, enhancing the competitiveness of professional clubs and expanding international exchanges are also included. To narrow the gap with top Asian nations, development must occur not only within the national team but also in the domestic league and player development systems. The VFF must continue these initiatives under its tenth executive committee. Achieving this will require collaboration among the federation, clubs, regional football organizations, and player development institutions.
Meanwhile, the achievements of Park and Kim are the result of their tactical capabilities and the players' efforts. However, to sustain the national team's victories as a long-term competitive advantage, youth development and domestic league advancement must be supported. Therefore, Vietnam football must focus on strengthening its player development system and improving club operational environments to solidify the overall foundation of the sport.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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