Mr. Park and the words 'fate' and 'love' with Vietnamese football

After coach Huu Thang resigned due to failure at the 2017 SEA Games, Mr. Duc wanted to contribute something to Vietnamese football before retiring from the position of Vice President of VFF. Initially, he invited a famous Japanese coach to take charge of the Vietnamese national team, but at the last minute, this coach politely declined.

"We are destined to be together"

Mr. Park: "I always thank Mr. Duc". Photo: VFF

Through Mr. Lee Dong-Jun, who was the broker who brought Luong Xuan Truong to K. League, Mr. Duc asked to find a Korean coach with quite simple criteria, having enough qualifications and experience to be able to bring the Vietnamese team to the middle and high ranks in Asia.

As a professional broker, Mr. Lee Dong-Jun immediately thought of Coach Park Hang-seo. The reason is very simple: "Mr. Park has experience as a coach of the Korean football team, twice as an assistant at the World Cup and has worked with foreign coach Guus Hiddink for a very long time, so the issue of cultural adaptation is not difficult."

On September 17, 2017, Mr. Lee Dong-Jun picked up the phone and asked: "If a Southeast Asian country invited you to be the head coach, would you agree?". Without hesitation, Mr. Park accepted and immediately authorized Mr. Lee Dong-Jun to be the representative to negotiate. 2 hours later, the information was on Mr. Duc's VFF desk in Hanoi.

As a businessman, Mr. Duc immediately asked the question: "Everything is great, but why is Mr. Parl only the coach of Chang Won FC, a team playing in the Korean Third Division? If journalists ask that, how should we answer?". Mr. Lee Dong-Jun immediately answered: "That's because Chang Won is coach Park's hometown team". Indeed, later when VFF signed a contract with Mr. Park, many journalists raised doubts like that.

12 days later, the VFF delegation at that time, including VFF Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan, Doan Nguyen Duc and General Secretary Le Hoai Anh, arrived in Korea to conduct interviews and negotiate contracts.

September 29, 2017 is truly considered a “milestone” for both VFF and Mr. Park. Mr. Lee cleverly chose the Sky Box area located in Seoul Stadium, where the semi-final match between Korea and Germany took place, which Mr. Park had many memories of, to conduct the meeting.

Lee Dong-jun is a Korean professional football agent and broker. Photo: FBNV

In the bookWe are Vietnam - We are oneby Korean author Jang Won Jae recorded the emotional journey of coach Park Hang-seo with Vietnamese football, saying: “The interview took place in the Sky Box area from 10am to 8pm. VFF officials took turns asking Mr. Park about football philosophy, determination, and tactics. After the Q&A session ended at 4pm, VFF moved on to the negotiation part about choosing assistant coaches, salaries, signing period... lasting until 8pm”.

In addition to the word "fate" there is also the word "love"

What Mr. Duc appreciated most was the sincerity of the Korean coach when VFF wanted everything to be done "right away" to avoid leaking confidential information. But Mr. Park was honest: "Because Chang Won FC has to compete in the National Sports Festival in October, I cannot accept the task right away. If because of that I cannot work with you, then I will have to do it."

In fact, not only VFF but everyone appreciates such a responsible and prestigious answer. But not everyone is like Mr. Park, who can dare to frankly refuse an invitation to work at a higher salary, which is not easy to find.

That is also the reason why later when renewing the contract, Mr. Duc frankly shared that Mr. Park certainly did not leave Vietnam just because of the higher salary offer in China or Thailand. In this 61-year-old Korean man, the word "love" is always deep.

And the golden dream after 60 years of waiting has come true under coach Park Hang-seo. Photo: Zing

Few people are as frank as Mr. Park: "Because Korean football only wants young leaders, under 40 years old, my colleagues have almost all retired. I am no longer in the role of a "level 1" coach."

Therefore, at the ceremony announcing the 3-year contract extension with VFF, Coach Park Hang-seo expressed his gratitude to Mr. Duc. He said: “I remember this moment 2 years ago when I first met Mr. Doan Nguyen Duc. Mr. Duc is the person who connected me with fate, has a great love for football and passion. I always thank Mr. Duc.”