Vietnamese coaches and former players mourn the passing of coach Alfred Riedl.

Yesterday, Austrian media outlets reported the news simultaneously.Coach Alfred RiedlHe passed away at the age of 70 in Vienna, Austria, on Monday evening (September 7th) local time. Coach Riedl had special memories with Vietnam and Vietnamese football.

Coach Alfred Riedl, born in 1949, has led the Vietnamese national team three times: 1998-2001, 2003, and 2005-2007. His first tournament coaching the Vietnamese team was the 1998 Tiger Cup, where they won a silver medal, including a 3-0 victory against Thailand with the golden generation of players including Viet Hoang, Sy Hung, Huynh Duc, Hong Son, and Duc Thang.

One of coach Alfred Riedl's most memorable achievements was in the 2004 Asian Cup qualifiers, where he helpedVietnam National TeamVietnam defeated South Korea 1-0 with a single goal from Pham Van Quyen. It was a historic victory, and the Vietnamese national team was essentially the U23 Vietnamese team.

Coach Alfred Riedl. Photo: ST

At the 2007 Asian Cup under the Austrian coach, the Vietnamese national team continued to create a sensation by defeating the UAE – the reigning Gulf Cup champions – with two goals from Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh. In this tournament, the Vietnamese team reached the quarter-finals. During his third stint in Vietnamese football, he led the Olympic team to the third qualifying round for the Olympics for the first time.

During his time working in Vietnam, many Vietnamese players in general, and those from Nghe An province in particular, developed under his guidance, such asHuy Hoang,Cong Vinh,Van Quyen, Duc Cuong… Previously, former football legend Huu Thang was also given the captain's armband of the national team by him.

During the development of Vietnamese football, coach Alfred Riedl and his assistants at the Vietnam U23 and national teams were key figures.Coach Nguyen Thanh VinhHe established a 4-4-2 playing style for the national team. It's safe to say that the Austrian coach left a lasting impression on generations of fans in his country.

Former national team player Van Quyen expresses his sorrow for coach Riedl. Photo: FBNV

Upon receiving the news, former striker Pham Van Quyen - his favorite student - expressed his condolences:"Once a teacher, always a teacher." From a young age, Quyen had heard that saying, and as she grew older, she understood it even more deeply after experiencing the ups and downs of life. To Alfred Riedl, Quyen simply wanted to express her gratitude.

He was the coach who wholeheartedly and sincerely guided Quyen from his early days on the national team. He witnessed Quyen's most memorable glories and failures. Thank you, and may you rest in peace, Coach. Your student, Van Quyen, bids you farewell, Coach.".

Meanwhile, the formerplayer Le Quoc VuongHe couldn't say anything more; his emotions were simply expressed in two words: "Teacher!" and a picture of the man who had guided him during his peak performance years.

Many generations of Vietnamese players have been associated with the Austrian coach. Photo: FBNV

Goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong, under coach Alfred Riedl, wasn't the number one goalkeeper for the national team, but to achieve the success he has today, the player from Nghe An received a lot of help from his respected coach. On Facebook, the goalkeeper currently playing for B. Binh Duong shared: "Farewell to my respected coach, the one who gave me the opportunity to wear the national team jersey."

Striker Le Cong Vinh was also unable to contain his emotions, as he has many fond memories with the late coach. "I was having dinner with my family when I heard the news. I stopped eating and went online to read the news. I was truly shocked. Coach Riedl made a huge contribution to Vietnamese football. His passing is a great loss for us. I would like to send my condolences to Mr. Riedl's family," Cong Vinh shared.

Coach Alfred Riedl during his time working in Vietnam. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

In addition to the players mentioned above,Coach Nguyen Huu ThangAs someone who was highly trusted by Coach Riedl when he played for the national team, he shared: "Coach Alfred Riedl is a respected foreign coach, a teacher with high moral character from whom I need to learn."

Although he never led Vietnamese football to a championship, his contributions to Vietnamese football were filled with dedication. I learned composure from a respected teacher. I would like to offer my condolences to his family; even though he has passed away, he will always be a teacher I respect.”

Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh also shared his thoughts with a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper regarding the passing of coach Riedl: "As a colleague who worked with me and shared many memories, I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Riedl's death. My deepest condolences to his family."

“He is a person with a very good work ethic, a very upright and exemplary individual. He is a role model for us to learn from. He is also very close to many generations of players from Nghe An province, always closely involved in guiding and instructing the players. What he has done for Vietnamese football is very valuable,” Coach Thanh Vinh expressed.

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