Coach Mai Duc Chung will continue to lead the Vietnamese national team.

(Baonghean.vn) - This afternoon (September 12), at a meeting to evaluate the performance of the Vietnam U22 team at the SEA Games 29, the VFF leadership decided to retain coach Mai Duc Chung as head coach for the upcoming period.

The meeting was chaired by VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh, with the participation of Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan, Standing Committee member Pham Ngoc Vien; and coaches Nguyen Huu Thang, Mai Duc Chung, Phan Thanh Hung, and Le Huynh Duc (representatives and members of the National Coaches Council) also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed and evaluated the performance of the Vietnam U22 team at the 29th SEA Games. In addition, the VFF discussed the team's plans for the next phase, and the position of head coach of the national team was a key topic of discussion.

Coach Mai Duc Chung will temporarily lead the Vietnamese national team in the upcoming matches while the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) searches for a new head coach. (Image: Internet)

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang did not participate in the press conference. The press conference was chaired by VFF Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan. Also present were VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh, Nguyen Si Hien, and Mai Duc Chung, two leading members of the National Coaches Council.

Regarding the reasons for the failure of the Vietnam U22 team at the 29th SEA Games, Chairman of the National Coaches Council Nguyen Si Hien concluded: "Coach Nguyen Huu Thang used the wrong players. His ability to rotate players was poor, failing to maintain tactics and fitness. Coach Huu Thang made a huge mistake by using Duy Manh in every match. He didn't substitute players who were too tired to run, even though the reserve and starting players were not significantly different in strength."

Mr. Nguyen Si Hien added: "Coach Huu Thang is hesitant in using players. That's a sign of immaturity and lack of experience. Coach Huu Thang should have needed more support."

Accordingly, the mandatory criteria for the national team head coach set by the VFF are: possessing a professional coaching license (or equivalent), having previously served as head coach of professional clubs (or national teams), being proficient in English in their work, and not having any disciplinary action. Priority is given to coaches under 60 years old and former professional players.

The VFF will screen applications, forward them to the National Coaches Council, and negotiate in order. After the criteria are agreed upon, the General Secretariat will compile a list of candidates. Currently, the VFF has received many applications for this position.

Secretary General Le Hoai Anh added: "Currently, no Vietnamese coach has met the professional coaching standard (AFC Pro Licence). This criterion will be applied from 2019. At present, if an agreement is not reached with a new coach, there will be a 'postponement' in selecting a coach for the Vietnam vs Cambodia match this October." At the same time, the salary of the new national team head coach will not be disclosed.

Finally, the VFF agreed that, in the event a new head coach is not appointed, Coach Mai Duc Chung will continue as head coach of the national team for the Vietnam vs Cambodia match. That match is crucial for qualifying for the Asian Cup.

In December, the Vietnam U23 team will participate in the International U23 Tournament in Bangkok to prepare for the U23 Asian Championship finals. Therefore, appointing a head coach as soon as possible will help the players stabilize their morale for the competition. However, this needs to be done carefully, in accordance with many established criteria.

Trung Kien