HAGL reunites with coach Kiatisuk: Is Chairman Duc plotting something?
(Baonghean.vn) - Since embarking on his professional football career, Chairman Duc has made numerous statements that have stirred public opinion. And not every statement by Chairman Duc accurately reflects the true nature of the situation.
Speaking to the press about the appointment decision.Coach KiatisukRegarding his appointment as HAGL's "captain" for the new season, Chairman Duc said: "In the 2020 season, HAGL achieved its goal of avoiding relegation early. For me, that's fine. However, the players shared that they really liked Kiatisuk's football philosophy and playing style, so I indulged them and brought Kiatisuk back to his old home, HAGL."
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| Chairman Duc. Photo: Van Nhan |
Kiatisuk will arrive in Vietnam in early December. After completing the Covid-19 quarantine procedures, he will officially start working with the team. Everyone knows Kiatisuk. He's a great player, but as a club coach, he's just average; he hasn't achieved anything remarkable. So, don't expect too much. I brought Kiatisuk here because the kids liked him, but it cost a lot of money."
Certainly, not many people believe that Chairman Duc's statements are entirely true. It's true that Chairman Duc is very fond of Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan, etc. But as a businessman, Chairman Duc cannot easily spend a huge sum of money (around 15 billion VND), in these difficult times, just to satisfy the wishes of "the young players".
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| Coach Kiatisuk. Photo: Getty |
Even if Chairman Duc were willing to spend lavishly, it would be difficult to secure the approval of "Thai Zico" unless HAGL demonstrates sufficiently ambitious and attractive goals for the upcoming season. Currently, former coach Kiatisuk remains a major brand in regional football. Proof of this is that the strategist born in 1973 rejected an attractive offer from Ho Chi Minh City FC a few weeks ago. Could it be that Coach Kiatisuk returned to Vietnam simply for an "easy job with a high salary"?
With the decision to call back.Nguyen Cong Phuong, recruiting additional center-back Nguyen Huu Tuan and goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh, HAGL's targets atV.League 2021It's not simply "playing for fun". In terms of the quality of their domestic players, the team from the mountainous region is not inferior to any opponent in the V.League, possessing a host of famous stars in their squad, spread across all positions.
According to experts, what HAGL lacks to compete on equal footing with Hanoi FC is a quality squad of foreign players and, especially, a renowned "head coach." The former coach of the Thailand U23 and senior national teams is the missing piece HAGL needs, as his philosophy aligns with the players the team currently possesses. It's worth remembering that in the past, "Zico Thai" was associated with Pleiku Stadium both as a player and a coach.
Furthermore, it's possible that Viettel's V.League 2020 championship changed Chairman Duc's thinking. Witnessing Coach Truong Viet Hoang's team end Hanoi FC's dominance strengthened Chairman Duc's confidence in his plan to restore HAGL's position on the national football map. If a young team like Viettel could do it, why couldn't HAGL?
In short, Chairman Duc's statements were aimed at nothing more than helping Coach Kiatisuk and his team relieve pressure from public opinion. V.League teams should be careful, HAGL won't be playing "for fun" anymore!
