Cong Vinh says goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City Club

Last night (May 2), after a meeting with the leadership, Cong Vinh officially decided to leave the team. "Recently, I have noticed that everything at the club is not going according to the agreed purpose and direction. Therefore, I have proactively stopped," Cong Vinh stated the reason.

Cong Vinh on the day he accepted the position of Acting President of Ho Chi Minh City Club. Photo:Duc Dong

Cong Vinh, after retiring from his playing career, accepted the position of manager of Ho Chi Minh City Club from the 2017 season. He holds the highest position in the team, but is also a "salaried employee" of the team's owner.

Since joining hands with Ho Chi Minh City Club, Cong Vinh has been very active in changing the image of the club, aiming towards the model of a professional football team. He has successively renewed the changing room, repaired the restroom at Thong Nhat Stadium, joined hands in selling tickets to fans, bought a bus to transport the team...

After the first season, Cong Vinh also boldly liquidated a series of players, and changed the coaching staff. A series of new players, along with coach Toshiya Miura, were invited for the 2018 season.

"With what we have in hand, Ho Chi Minh City Club promises to show the image of a clean team. We may lose on the field, but we will win in the stands," Cong Vinh said at the 2018 season's kick-off ceremony, while also setting the goal of finishing in the top three of the V-League this season.

After the first six rounds of V-League 2018, Ho Chi Minh City FC is currently ranked fourth with nine points. However, they are the team that has received the most penalty cards, and the playing style that coach Toshiya Miura has built for the team has been criticized by many other clubs for being too violent.

"Actually, I planned to leave the team a few months ago, but hesitated because I felt responsible towards the coaching staff and the players - the people who always put their trust in me. Now, I have made the decision when I see that what I agreed with the leaders when I accepted to be the manager is not going according to plan," Cong Vinh said.

Cong Vinh has created many new features for Ho Chi Minh City Club as a manager. Photo:Duc Dong

The former number one striker of Vietnam announced his decision to leave Ho Chi Minh City Club just a few hours after he launched the community football academy named CV9, raising suspicions that the decision is related to the incident.

However, Cong Vinh affirmed: "The football academy does not affect my decision because I only provide professional support and consultation, while my wife plays the role of managing and operating the academy."

"The decision to leave Ho Chi Minh City Club was very difficult for me," Cong Vinh said. "Although I am very sad, I think it will be good for both sides. I would like to thank the fans who have always supported the team during my time working with the club, and even though I am no longer with Ho Chi Minh City Club, I will always follow and support the team."

On Sunday, May 6, Ho Chi Minh City Club will host Hanoi in round 7 of V-League 2018.