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Alexandre Polking and Park Hang-seo enter the market for potential coaches for the Vietnam National Team. Photo: IST
HANOI – A number of names ranging from Alexandre 'Mano' Polking to Park Hang-seo are on the radar of potential new coaches for the Vietnam National Team. However, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) stated that there would be a strict selection for prospective new coaches.
The Vietnam national team currently has a vacant coaching position after parting ways with Philippe Troussier. The coach from France and VFF agreed to end their collaboration early after two defeats to the Indonesian National Team in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asia Zone.
As a result, VFF is now busy looking for a new coach to fill the void left by Troussier. A number of well-known names are predicted to be the interpreters of the new formation of The Golden Star – the nickname of the Vietnam National Team –
Among them are former Thailand coach, Alexandre 'Mano' Polking and former Vietnam tactician, Park Hang-seo. Apart from that, there are several club coaches such as Velizar Popov (Thanh Hoa FC), Chu Dinh Nghiem (Hai Pong FC), and the Vietnam youth team coach, Hoang Anh Tuan.
Among these names, Mano Polking and Park Hang-seo are the favorites considering that both of them are without a club or are currently unemployed. Regarding the new coach, a VFF official is still unable to provide official information.
“We do not rule out any possibility (for a new coach), the important thing is that the Vietnam team needs to be strengthened and the players' psychology stabilized to be able to handle the last 2 World Cup Qualification matches well,” said the official, quoted from Soha VN, Thursday (28/3/ 2024).
“The Vietnamese team's chances of continuing (in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers) are not many, but we think if the team makes an effort, any difficulties can be overcome,” he continued.
In this regard, it is reported that the VFF will strictly select candidates for the new coach of the Vietnam National Team. However, Soha VN reported that a foreign coach would be the one to fill the vacant coaching seat for The Golden Star.
“Based on the views of several permanent members of the VFF, all opinions support the selection of a foreign coach to lead the Vietnam team. “The VFF stated that it would work with the National Coaching Council to plan the selection,” wrote Soha VN's report.
(sto)