Coach Mai Duc Chung bids farewell to the Vietnamese women's national team: From World Cup legacy to strategies for overcoming challenges.
Concluding his legendary journey with the Vietnamese women's national team, coach Mai Duc Chung shared his vision for youth development and management skills to overcome the challenging transition period.
Following the defeat against the Japanese women's team in the Olympic qualifiers, coach Mai Duc Chung officially ended his glorious journey with the Vietnamese women's national team. The departure of the veteran strategist not only marks the end of a brilliant chapter in Vietnamese football but also raises concerns about the sustainable development path for the "diamond girls" in the new era.
A legacy of determination and a historic World Cup ticket.
Looking back on the long journey, coach Mai Duc Chung affirms that he has no regrets. Under his leadership, the status of Vietnamese women's football has been significantly elevated on the international stage. The pinnacle is the ticket to the World Cup – the result of the trust and expectations that previous generations had nurtured for many years.
In particular, he deeply understood the disadvantages faced by female players, whose income and benefits were modest compared to men's football. However, it was precisely in adversity that the extraordinary willpower and determination of the players shone brightest. This was considered the core factor that helped the team achieve resounding successes despite limited investment resources.
Solving the generational transition problem through school football.
Faced with concerns about a personnel gap as many key players are nearing the end of their careers, coach Mai Duc Chung emphasized the importance of changing investment mindsets. To adapt to this transitional period, women's football needs a more solid and sustainable foundation instead of relying solely on short-term tournaments.
The veteran strategist offered this advice: "For women's football to develop sustainably, we must nurture, support, and invest more, especially in schools and local communities." According to him, development cannot rely solely on state budgets or large sponsors, but requires building an ecosystem of community football projects at the grassroots level.
The art of management stems from sincerity and understanding.
Besides professional expertise, Coach Mai Duc Chung conveyed an important message to his successor regarding personnel management. According to him, sincerity and the ability to understand the personal lives of each player are key to maintaining team strength. A good coach is not only someone who devises effective tactics, but also someone who cares about the circumstances of each individual to build a united and cohesive team.
Although his personal journey has come to an end, Coach Mai Duc Chung still expresses his confidence in the thorough preparation of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). With personnel who have gained practical experience in major tournaments such as the SEA Games and the Asian Cup, Vietnamese women's football has a solid foundation to maintain its success and continue to rise on the world football map.
