Ninh Binh FC has appointed coach Bae Ji-won to replace Vu Tien Thanh for the 2026-2027 season.
In order to meet the AFC Pro coaching requirements for the new season, Ninh Binh Club decided to appoint Bae Ji-won as head coach, while Vu Tien Thanh moved to the role of technical director.
Ninh Binh FC has just made a significant change in its coaching staff structure in preparation for the 2026-2027 season. Accordingly, South Korean strategist Bae Ji-won will officially take over the position of head coach, replacing Mr. Vu Tien Thanh.
The solution to the AFC Pro qualification problem.
This personnel change stems from the stringent requirements for professional licensing standards. According to new regulations applicable to the 2026-2027 season, teams participating in the V-League and continental competitions are required to have a head coach holding a professional coaching license.AFC Pro– the highest level certificate in the Asian Football Confederation's training system.
While Mr. Vu Tien Thanh currently does not possess this certificate, the new head coach, Bae Ji-won, has completed a professional football course in Germany and holds an AFC Pro license. This adjustment helps the team from the ancient capital comply with the organizers' regulations while retaining key personnel in the management structure.
After handing over the head coach position, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh will move to the role of Technical Director. This is seen as a strategic move to maximize Mr. Thanh's extensive experience and deep understanding of domestic football to support the new South Korean head coach.
Expectations based on Bae Ji-won's impressive profile.
Bae Ji-won is not an unfamiliar name to Vietnamese football fans. This strategist previously served as the fitness coach for the national team under coach Park Hang-seo and also coached Viettel FC (now The Cong Viettel) from 2022 to 2024.
Besides his experience in Vietnam, Mr. Bae also boasts an impressive resume, having worked at top K-League clubs such as Jeonbuk, Ulsan, and Gangwon. With his modern football philosophy and proven expertise, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective and elevate the playing style of Ninh Binh FC.
The combination of a skilled technical director like Vu Tien Thanh and a coach with international-standard expertise like Bae Ji-won demonstrates the team's strong ambition for professionalization. Previously, Mr. Thanh successfully fulfilled his interim role in stabilizing the players' morale and boosting their fighting spirit after a difficult period.
Overall, this restructuring is not just a temporary solution to meet qualification requirements, but also a long-term preparation for Ninh Binh Club to be ready to compete fairly in the V-League and aim for higher goals in international competitions in the future.
