Coach Le Manh Hung - 'the silent ferryman' at SLNA training center

Perhaps in the SLNA training center, there are not many coaches with more achievements than Le Manh Hung. Because, for a long time, the SLNA training center only had Le Manh Hung in charge of coaching goalkeepers. Up to this point, Le Manh Hung has had a huge collection of titles. From national youth tournaments to international U21 tournaments, Le Manh Hung has won different medals.

It is worth mentioning that before pursuing the coaching career, Le Manh Hung was not a professional player, like most of his colleagues atSLNA training center.After completing high school in Con Cuong, Le Manh Hung attended Hong Bang University (Ho Chi Minh City). Returning to his hometown with a bachelor's degree in football, in 2006, Le Manh Hung was recruited by SLNA.

Coach Le Manh Hung (far left). Photo courtesy of Ba Tuan

In the early stages of the SLNA training center (2006 - 2009), Le Manh Hung was a valuable assistant to former coach Nguyen Xuan Thuy. Thanks to that, Le Manh Hung accumulated a lot of valuable knowledge and experience. Since Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy retired (2009), the task of coaching goalkeepers at the SLNA center has been undertaken by Le Manh Hung. Recently, with the appearance of Pham Duc Anh, former goalkeeper of U16 Vietnam and SLNA, the burden on Le Manh Hung's shoulders has been somewhat shared.

This season, Le Manh Hung andU17 SLNAwon the championship at the 2020 National U17 Finals. With his ability and prestige, Le Manh Hung was appointed as the deputy coach of the Bac Ninh Third Division team (the core of which is U17 SLNA) to participate in the 2020 National Third Division Tournament, taking place in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc in early November. A meaningful reward for the 37-year-old coach.

The championship of U17 SLNA at the 2020 National U17 Finals is largely due to the contribution of assistant coach Le Manh Hung. Photo: Ba Tuan

After nearly 15 years working at SLNA training center, under the hands of Le Manh Hung, a series of goalkeepers were introduced such as Tran Nguyen Manh, Tran Van Tien, Duong Van Cuong, Ho Viet Dai, Nguyen Van Ba, Nguyen Canh Tiep... Especially,Goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh, who just won the championshipV.League 2020Viettel is the favorite student of the coach born in 1983.

And without further ado, SLNA's number 3 goalkeeper in the last 3 seasons, Tran Van Tien, was also discovered by Le Manh Hung and was able to get involved with the "king sport". After being persuaded by Le Manh Hung, the goalkeeper from Do Luong decided to switch from Athletics to Football. A major turning point in Tran Van Tien's career.

Returning from the 2020 National Third Division, Le Manh Hung only stayed with his family for a few days. Being "in two places" (working in Vinh, living in Con Cuong) also made the time that Le Manh Hung spent with his family quite limited. Once, Le Manh Hung shared: "I know it's a disadvantage for my son, but that's the nature of the job. Once you're passionate about it, you have to try."