National team head coach resigns following international tournament failure

SAIGON — In a move that has captured attention within Vietnam's football circles, the Vietnam Football Federation has confirmed that head coach Nguyen Van Minh has resigned by mutual agreement, just weeks after the national team was eliminated at the group stage of the Southeast Asian football championship. According to the official statement published in the media on September 18, 2026, Minh — who had led the national team for nearly two years — will not continue his tenure. His time in charge began in February 2026, coinciding with Vietnam's post-war football reconstruction period. Results from the recent tournament showed the team earned only one point from three group matches, with one draw and two defeats. Previously, at the regional championship, the team had reached the final but lost to a neighboring country with a score of 3-2 — a narrow margin between success and failure. "We acknowledge the work and dedication of coach Minh during his time here," the statement read. "This decision was made after thorough review of the entire performance." Notably, among the young players deployed at the tournament, two names stood out: Tran Van Tam and Le Hong Son — faces highly regarded by experts despite the team's underwhelming results. However, the biggest question now is who will replace the head coach. The Federation stated that there is currently no information about a successor and will announce in due time. Some football experts in Saigon noted that finding a new coach for the youth national team is an urgent priority, as the next tournament is just months away. Leaving the head coach position vacant for an extended period will affect preparation plans and player selection. Financially, this decision is not expected to have a significant impact on the Federation's budget. Sources indicate that Minh's contract was signed per tournament cycle, and the termination has been handled amicably. Observers also pointed out that Vietnam's football performance at regional and international tournaments remains in a foundation-building phase. Reaching the regional championship final demonstrates certain potential, but the gap compared to top Asian teams remains a major challenge. Young players like Tam and Son are expected to be key figures in the national team in the coming years. How the Federation handles this transition will greatly determine the future of Vietnamese football. The challenge for leadership is not only finding a replacement, but also determining the appropriate development direction for the national team as Vietnamese football gradually integrates with the region.