Mr. Vinh 'Nghe' - a lifetime of dedication to SLNA

Thanh Hung• March 20, 2020 14:25

(Baonghean.vn) - In the "temple of legends" of Nghe An football, former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh always holds the most honorable position with his dedicated contributions to SLNA.

Glorious past

When it comes to the contributions of former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh to SLNA, there is no amount of paper or ink that can be used to list them all. Just looking at the time of attachment that lasted more than 2 decades (24 years), along with a series of noble titles (National Championship 2000, V.League 2001, National Cup 2002...) that the strategist at the "rare" age contributed to his hometown team, we can see the depth of his achievements. Perhaps, in the history of national football, only the late coach Pham Huynh Tam Lang of the former Saigon Port can be compared to Mr. Vinh "Nghe".

Cựu HLV Nguyễn Thành Vinh hồi còn làm việc. vietnamnet

Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh. Photo: Vietnamnet

Under the leadership of former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Song Lam Nghe An (formerly Song Lam Nghe Tinh) gradually became a formidable team in the highest league of Vietnamese football. However, it was not until nearly 20 years later (in 2000) that Mr. Vinh “Nghe”’s team won the national championship. In the late 90s of the last century - early 2000s, the Nghe An team was a powerful force, making all opponents afraid, even terrified. Vinh Stadium was like a “dangerous land”, a “place where it is easy to go, hard to return” for The Cong, Hanoi Police, Saigon Port, Ho Chi Minh City Police…

Đội bóng xứ Nghệ đã không còn giữ được vị thế như trước. Ảnh tư liệu

Nghe An football team can no longer maintain its previous position. Photo courtesy

The story of life "coming together and then breaking up", "the Lam River is in turmoil" with complicated internal problems, followed by a series of farewells "without a return date". The day Mr. Vinh "Nghe" left (in 2004), a "dynasty" collapsed, just like the day Manchester United cried to see Sir Alex Ferguson off when he retired (2013). For many people, comparing former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh with former coach Sir Alex Ferguson is lame, but for true Nghe An football fans, Mr. Vinh "Nghe" is the living monument of the team located on the banks of the Lam River.

Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh (wearing a hat) when he was still the "captain" of SLNA. Photo courtesy

Present full of worries

After the ups and downs in his position as "captain" of the Dong A - Pomina Steel team, the Hoa Phat Hanoi team and then the Hanoi Football Club (merged by Hoa Phat Hanoi and Hanoi ACB), at the end of 2012, Mr. Vinh "Nghe" decided to retire from his "sandboard holding" career after more than 30 years of playing football.

For nearly a decade, former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh has devoted all his time to his loved ones. With his gentle wife, he shares a simple meal, takes his grandchildren to school in the morning, picks them up in the afternoon and returns home in a cozy, simple atmosphere, and occasionally meets up with some old friends to sip coffee and reminisce about old memories.

Since leaving the “cabin”, most of the professionals often call him expert Nguyen Thanh Vinh, because of his deep understanding and rich experience in the field of football, especially the issues of SLNA and the Vietnam National Team. Every time the national teams compete at the SAE Games, AFF Cup or SLNA’s V.League matches, there are often many reporters from press agencies calling or asking to meet him directly to “ask for help”. Simply put, he is always close, open and enthusiastic, whether that person is a famous journalist or just a new collaborator.

SLNA players celebrate a goal in the match against B.Binh Duong. Photo courtesy of Trung Kien

In a conversation with the writer, the man who once had years of "screaming fire on the Vinh pitch" sadly revealed: "I still regularly follow SLNA, as a fan." He rarely goes to the stadium to watch his old team play, however, he never misses the matches with the presence of SLNA broadcast on TV. In fact, he watches SLNA play not only to satisfy his passion, but also because of his love and concern for his hometown team. Because, SLNA always exists in his heart.

Former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh confided: “At this time, teachers and students at SLNA are still having to live, practice and compete in conditions that are not guaranteed. The field is seriously degraded, and the remuneration is not commensurate with the effort put in. They must be very passionate about the profession to pursue it until now. In professional football, the money factor is extremely important. That is why, recently, SLNA's training center has been "stolen" by other training centers. Hopefully, SLNA will quickly be like Hanoi Club and HAGL."

Now Mr. Vinh “Nghe” has “retired”, but his concerns with SLNA are still many. However, in terms of pure expertise, former coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh can be satisfied and proud of his former students who are currently working in the football field in many different positions. Typical examples include Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Club - Nguyen Huu Thang, Head Coach of Hai Phong Club - Pham Anh Tuan, Head Coach of SLNA - Ngo Quang Truong and especially his son Nguyen Thanh Cong, strategists who are greatly influenced by the coaching style of Mr. Vinh “Nghe”./.

Mr. Vinh 'Nghe' - a lifetime of dedication to SLNA

Coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh

SLNA

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