Revealed identity of Vietnam National Team head coach

On the morning of April 29, KBS reported in detail: "Former coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Club, Mr. Kim Sang-sik will take on the position of coach of the Vietnam national football team."

An official with knowledge of the Southeast Asian football market revealed to KBS reporter: "Coach Kim Sang-sik recently met with the Vietnam Football Federation and signed a contract to coach the Vietnam national team."

''Coach Kim Sang Sik has just returned to Korea after a trip to Europe last week. It has been confirmed that he has completed negotiations for the position of head coach of the Vietnam national team. The contract term is 2 years and lasts until March 2026. Coach Kim Sang Sik has been on a hiatus from coaching since leaving Jeonbuk 1 year ago. He is expected to leave for Vietnam this weekend.''

According to KBS, VFF chose Mr. Kim Sang Sik, even though this strategist has less experience than other candidates, because of his achievements in winning the K.League 1 championship and reaching the AFC Champions League semi-finals. Coach Kim Sang Sik's decision to come to Vietnam to try his hand has a significant impact on the success of coach Park Hang Seo in his 5 years with the S-shaped land. With what coach Park has done, plus the success of coach Shin Tae Yong in Indonesia, Korean coaches are very excited about the Southeast Asian market.

It is expected that the Vietnam Football Federation will soon introduce the new coach of the Vietnam National Team in May to have time to prepare for the last two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers taking place in June.

Regarding the appointment of the new head coach of the Vietnam national team, on the morning of April 29, General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi, said: "VFF is still in the process of working and discussing. By May 3, if completed, VFF will announce it."

Thus, if everything goes well, the Vietnam Football Federation is expected to announce the new head coach of the national team on May 3.

The early announcement of the head coach is necessary because the Vietnamese team will play the last two matches in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in mid-June. Within 1 month (from May to June), the new captain will study and watch V.League matches to "watch the players" and choose a squad that fits his philosophy.

Mr. Kim Sang Sik is a former Korean player who participated in the 2006 World Cup. He is a central defender and defensive midfielder, so his playing style is more defensive. As a coach, he led Jeonbuk Hyundai Club (Korea) from the 2021-2023 season, helping the team win the 2021 K-League and win the 2022 Korean FA Cup.