Why did VFF choose Coach Troussier?
After Coach Park Hang-seo announced that he would not renew his contract and bid farewell to the Vietnamese team after January 31, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) rushed to find a new coach. Initially, they make a list of candidates, including both the target and the applicant. After that, the professional committees screen and transfer the list to the National Coaches Council for consideration and advice. "Among the candidates, Troussier stands out the most. The National Coach Council, after evaluating it, also advises the VFF Standing Committee to be his priority," VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu shared with MetaSports. .
Mr. Tu is the person assigned to directly negotiate with Troussier. Yesterday, the two sides completed the negotiation. It is expected that at the end of February, the French military leader will be in Hanoi to sign the contract.
Vietnamese football used to be very successful with Coach Park, so the latter will be under a lot of pressure. In addition, a series of pillars of the team such as Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Cong Phuong ... have shown signs of recent decline in performance, leading to worries about the team's achievements. However, VFF did not have much trouble persuading Troussier. "Coach Troussier likes challenges. He is also very interested in working with Vietnamese football and is willing to accept the goals set by the VFF. The two sides meet in many aspects, so the negotiation is more favorable", Mr. Anh Tu disclosure.
Before reaching the agreement, VFF met face-to-face, exchanged emails and even had online meetings with Coach Troussier and his team. According to Vice President Tran Anh Tu, the negotiation took a long time because there were many details. The two sides spend the most time discussing how to handle legal issues in the future, avoiding collisions. "Troussier's team of lawyers is too experienced in contract negotiation, and VFF also mobilizes collective wisdom and learns from previous contract signings to keep everything tight and careful," said Tu. speak.
Language also takes more time for both sides, because both English and French interpreters are required.
Troussier will lead both Vietnam U23 and the national team from March 1, 2023 to July 31, 2026. This is a record long contract that VFF signed with a foreign coach, usually signing for a year or two and then extending it. According to Mr. Tu, Troussier is a good coach, experienced in military management and also has a lot of knowledge about Vietnamese football. "Signing with a new coach cannot avoid risks, but with someone like Troussier, it's clear that this rate is lower. VFF also wants to create stability for the teams to develop," he explained.
Coach Troussier, born in 1955 in France, played as a defender for domestic clubs from 1976 to 1983. He switched to coaching immediately after retiring. Troussier was dubbed the "White Wizard" when he brought African teams such as South Africa, Ivory Coast or Nigeria to the World Cup. He also helped Japan U20 to win the U20 World Cup runner-up position in 1999, the Japanese team won the 2000 Asian Cup and then entered the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup.
Troussier has worked as Technical Director of PVF Football Training Center since March 2018. In the period of 2019-2021, he also led Vietnam U19, won tickets to the 2020 AFC U19 Championship, but because of Covid-19, this tournament was canceled. Mr. Troussier then went to watch the V-League, First, Second, U21 and U19 national tournaments to build a new youth group to prepare for the Southeast Asian U18 tournament and the Asian U19 qualifier in 2021. In June 2021, his contract with PVF expired, so he ended his part-time job in Vietnam's youth teams.
Salary details for the new head coach are kept confidential by VFF in accordance with regulations. However, Mr. Tu confirmed that there is no story that Troussier receives 4 billion VND per month as has been rumored recently. He said: "Finding a coach must also be based on the financial capacity of the Federation. It is not possible to put all the money on the head coach, because we also have to spend on the whole system, from training youth to teams. The salary is delicate, I can't make it public, but certainly not as big as people say."
Coach Troussier is tasked with defending the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games, regaining the AFF Cup championship in 2024 and the highest goal is to win tickets to the 2026 World Cup, when FIFA increases the number of teams competing in the final round. 48 pairs. To serve the above goals, Coach Troussier was also given the opportunity to choose a team of assistants as large as his predecessor Park Hang-seo, including foreigners and Vietnamese.
