Right after Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup 2024 victory, goalkeeper coach Lee Woon Jae was the first to leave the team. His departure was met with regret, despite the fact that his contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) was only a short-term agreement lasting around two months.

With extensive experience - including four World Cup appearances in 1994, 2002, 2006, and 2010 - goalkeeper coach Lee Woon Jae provided crucial advice to head coach Kim Sang Sik. Notably, he played a key role in the decision to give Dinh Trieu the starting goalkeeper position over Nguyen Filip.

Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged the significant contributions of Lee Woon Jae, particularly in terms of goalkeeping decisions. Throughout the ASEAN Cup, Dinh Trieu played in six out of eight matches, proving the wisdom of this choice.

Following Lee Woon Jae’s departure, Coach Kim Sang Sik also bid farewell to interpreter Lee Seong Joo and physiotherapists Choi Sung Rak and Yoo Seung Min. These professionals played crucial roles, from helping players cope with the demanding ASEAN Cup schedule to facilitating communication in training sessions.

Additionally, team manager Doan Anh Tuan stepped down from his role. Known as the “chief coordinator” of the team, he managed all logistical and operational aspects of the squad.

A new, long-term coaching staff?

Although they worked with the team for only a short period, the South Korean assistants made a significant impact. Among those who departed, VFF and Coach Kim Sang Sik regretted losing goalkeeper coach Lee Woon Jae the most, given his expertise and dedication.

Moving forward, VFF and Coach Kim Sang Sik are actively searching for high-quality assistants for the national team. Reports suggest that the new additions will continue to be South Korean coaches, but this time with longer-term contracts.

This decision is influenced by Vietnam’s participation in the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, which will last for an entire year. Additionally, there are multiple training camps for the U22 and U23 squads in preparation for SEA Games 33 and the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Currently, Coach Kim Sang Sik's remaining staff includes key figures such as Choi Won Kwon - his right-hand man, fitness expert Yoon Dong Hun, and interpreter Do Anh Van (Korean to Vietnamese). Vietnamese assistants Dinh Hong Vinh and Luu Danh Minh are also part of the team.

With an intense schedule in 2025, the size of the coaching staff is expected to grow compared to 2024. However, VFF and Coach Kim Sang Sik prioritize finding assistants with strong expertise, experience, and the ability to integrate well with the team while handling the pressure of international competition.

Dai Nam