HANOI (2 Dec 2012) – Vietnam will still keep the faith with coach Phan Thanh Hung despite the failure of the team to make the cut for the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup this year.
The 2008 champions ended the group stage on third in Group A following one draw and two defeats. But as Ngo Le Bang, the general secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said this week, there are no plans to relieve Thanh Hung of his duties.
“He has signed a contract with the VFF until the end of 2012,” said Le Bang, who was also the team manager during the team’s campaign in Bangkok this year.
“We have no plans to sack Thanh Hung nor are there plans to find a new foreign coach. I think as far as the VFF are concerned, it is about time that we give our local coaches a chance.
Thanh Hung was appointed to the hot seat just a month ago following the departure of German Falko Goetz earlier in the year. Thanh Hung has reached an understanding with the VFF that while he serve as the national coach of the national team, he could also fill in his position with V-League side Hanoi T&T.
“We will stick with Thanh Hung unless he feels the need to leave the team. Then we will have no choice,” added Le Bang.
Pix by Thananuwat Srirasant (World Sport Group)
