Coach Vu Hong Viet officially returns to lead Nam Dinh, reuniting with striker Xuan Son.
Nam Định has reappointed coach Vũ Hồng Việt to replace Mauro Jeronimo just before the Ninh Bình derby. The return of the 'architect' of their championship hopes to revive Xuân Son's career.
On the morning of February 26th, Nam Dinh Green Steel FC officially announced the reappointment of coach Vu Hong Viet to the "hot seat". This is considered a pivotal move aimed at stabilizing the dressing room and restoring the team's identity as the V-League enters its most intense phase.
The return of the champion 'architect'.
The decision to rehire the strategist born in 1979 was made immediately after the Nam Dinh Club's leadership accepted the resignation of his predecessor, Mauro Jeronimo. Following the 0-1 defeat against Viettel, Nam Dinh dropped to 10th place in the standings, a result that is difficult to accept for the reigning champions.
The pressure intensified with the highly anticipated derby against Ninh Binh FC just three days away. In this critical situation, coach Vu Hong Viet was the optimal choice due to his thorough understanding of the system and close relationship with the players at Thien Truong Stadium.
Hopes for a revival of striker Nguyen Xuan Son.
One of the reasons this reunion has received so much attention is Mr. Viet's influence over Nguyen Xuan Son. Under this strategist's previous leadership, the naturalized striker experienced the most brilliant years of his career, becoming a nightmare for every defense in the V-League.
Coach Vu Hong Viet's tactical understanding helped Xuan Son explode onto the scene, making a significant contribution to Nam Dinh's title-winning campaign with a double V-League championship (2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons) and the 2024 National Super Cup. After a period of absence due to injury, the striker is expected to soon rediscover his killer instinct under the guidance of his former coach.
A historical landmark at Thien Truong Stadium.
Before parting ways with the team in October 2025 after a loss to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two, Coach Vu Hong Viet built a solid foundation for Nam Dinh. From a team in the relegation zone in 2022, he transformed the team from Thien Truong Stadium into a real force in Vietnamese football, securing a place in the Shopee Cup 2025/26.
Overall, the reappointment of a familiar but highly respected figure like Mr. Viet shows Nam Dinh's ambition to turn the tide of the season. With the return of a familiar face, Nam Dinh fans have reason to hope for a more promising performance in the upcoming derby.
