Doan Minh Xuong: 'Don't have any illusions about Coach Kiatisuk'

According to the "teacher" born in 1959, VFF should continue to trust coach Mai Duc Chung but in the long term, a foreign strategist is needed to lead the Vietnamese team.

Coach Doan Minh Xuong (right) used to be a coach, and he is currently a lecturer at the Central University of Physical Education and Sports 2. Photo: Quang Minh

- The failure at SEA Games 29 is causing many consequences for Vietnamese football, and the fans' trust seems to be hitting rock bottom?

- I think everyone should not criticize or blame anyone, it is a pity for Huu Thang and his players. Think back to where Vietnamese football is, what it has and what it can do... Then, we will understand that the recent failure is natural. Football has many factors, not just good technique, good performance or victory. In modern football, each match, players have to run from 8,000 - 10,000 meters, but Vietnamese players can only run 6,000 meters before running out of breath, so how can they compare with others?Don't think that we've won a friendly match with Thailand every now and then and think we're stronger. Don't think that just because we're in the U20 World Cup, we've reached world-class status..

- The story of reforming and professionalizing football has actually been discussed and implemented for decades, but the changes have probably not met practical requirements. In your opinion, what is the reason?

-We have never had a specific training orientation. We just run around, set short-term goals and try our best to achieve them, without any strategy. In developed countries, they have a training system from the age of 12, not orienting at the age of 16 like in Vietnam. In my opinion, we can learn a lot from the investment orientation for futsal, if we want to have a good team.

If Vietnam wants to surpass Thailand and reach the Asian level, it must have a comprehensive strategy, from the short, medium and long term, from the competition system, the Federation apparatus to the clubs... Of course, doing so will encounter the story of achievements. But the leaders of the Federation need to be bold and confident for a sustainable development. Otherwise, we will limit ourselves to tournaments like the SEA Games and the AFF Cup.

Expert Doan Minh Xuong supports coach Mai Duc Chung to lead the Vietnam national team, but in the future he thinks that Vietnamese football should have a foreign coach. Photo: Duc Dong

- Actually, in recent years, Vietnamese youth football has achieved many successes. But every time there is a failure, public opinion is stirred up. Is it difficult for VFF to focus on a long-term development goal?

- That's right. Vietnamese football still has many shortcomings, but it only reflects the social level. It's okay to criticize VFF. Everyone has their reasons, everyone is right. But VFF has their own difficulties, not everything they want can be done. In my opinion, the problem here is that VFF must outline a specific development strategy to convince fans as well as relevant levels.

We have to set targets for the next 8 to 12 years. In that, we have to determine what to do, how to train, who to hire... Football is like a house whose pillars are professional tournaments and clubs. We should not rely on any individual or just a certain group of players. This is a "national project".Everyone appreciates Mr. Duc, but it is impossible to raise the level of football by spending money. If it were that easy, everyone would be able to do it because there are many people out there who are richer than us. The important thing is how football is done.

Kiatisuk is considered one of the candidates for the position of head coach of the Vietnam national team.

- Back to the current story, when the head coach position of the Vietnam national team is vacant. In your opinion, who is the right person to sit in at this time?

- If we only pursue short-term results and stay within the region, I support coach Mai Duc Chung. He is the one who understands the country's football the most and is the most ready at the moment. In the long term, I think hiring a foreign coach would be better. Foreigners can handle pressure well, work professionally and do not know Vietnamese so they are less affected by external influences. History also proves that foreign coaches have much better results than their local counterparts in Vietnam.

- Kiatisuk Senamaung is being mentioned as a potential candidate?

- He failed with the Thai national team, and recently resigned from his club position due to poor results. Using a coach like that at this time is not reasonable. Being good at football does not necessarily mean being a good coach, and being good at one thing does not necessarily mean being good at another. Football is a science, so don't be vague or have any illusions.

According to VNE