After winning the 2024 ASEAN Cup with the Vietnamese team, coach Kim Sang-sik had a short break. The Korean coach returned home to rest and visit family and friends.
Sharing with his hometown media, Mr. Kim Sang-sik confided that the title he just received has helped him relieve his burden and feel more relieved.
"After more than 7 months since taking on the role of head coach of the Vietnam national team, I have always been worried because I have not achieved anything during that time. Therefore, I did not unpack all my luggage but only used what was necessary.
Now, I think I can somewhat relieve the burden and sleep better. I will work harder so that Vietnamese football continues to win glory, not just at this time," the captain of the Vietnamese team expressed.
However, this coach affirmed that current satisfaction will lead to regression, so he always wants to convey to Vietnamese players the need to constantly change and always be confident no matter what the result is.
Under Mr. Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese team is considered to be a team that is as close as a family. This shows the 48-year-old strategist's excellent management and psychological work with the players. Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that to achieve this, he received great support from his senior Park Hang-seo.
"I actively listened to coach Park Hang-seo's advice that I should show affection to the players. I thought that I needed to have something different from other coaches, so I decided to become the one who brings laughter and joy to the players.
In doing so, I created a big brother style of leadership, surpassing my previous big brother style of leadership. When I need to criticize someone, I avoid doing it in front of a crowd but call each person individually to remind them. This is also a valuable experience from coach Park Hang-seo," said coach Kim Sang-sik.
In 2024, when the Vietnamese team went to Korea to train before the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the coach born in 1976 gave ginseng to the players. This helped him gain more sympathy from the players, in addition to his comfortable, friendly style in life, and his fiery and fierce attitude on the field.
