It's been a week since Vietnam won the 2024 ASEAN Cup. Has your life changed much since then?
- After winning the championship just a few days ago, I don't see much change. But when I go out, people recognize me and ask to take pictures, I feel very happy about that.
Since signing the contract in mid-2024, how has VFF supported you in terms of working conditions, living conditions, and adapting to the new job?
- Not only do I have the support of the fans, I also have the support of the Federation, headed by President Tran Quoc Tuan. They have supported me and the team a lot. Thanks to that, we have support and good conditions for the team to develop further.
The 2024 ASEAN Cup championship of the Vietnam National Team bears the mark of striker Nguyen Xuan Son. But we need to mention that the VFF has decided to open the door for naturalized players. What do you think about this adjustment?
- First of all, with Xuan Son, your performance makes me happy. I regret your injury. I hope Son recovers quickly to return to competition soon. As far as I know, other countries in the region such as Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines have been continuously bringing foreign players back and naturalizing foreign players. I hope the VFF will create better conditions for overseas Vietnamese players and naturalized players, so that they can serve the national team. To move forward and reach further goals, we need better players.
At the recent tournament, we witnessed the impressive rise of the Philippines team. Both Indonesia and Thailand also brought a squad of many young players, proving that they are preparing carefully for the future. Meanwhile, on the Vietnamese team's side, there were not many young talents in this tournament. On the contrary, the new factors that made their mark such as Dinh Trieu and Ngoc Tan are both over 30 years old. In your opinion, is this an issue that Vietnam should pay attention to in the future?
After the tournament ends, my coaching staff and I will attend matches in V.League 1 and V.League 2 to monitor, find new factors and search for young talents. To participate in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers and SEA Games 33, we must have better preparation.
The ASEAN Cup ended successfully, with the participation of young players such as Van Khang and Vi Hao. We will try to find new players when we go to watch. The board of directors and I will focus on finding young players to serve the national team in the coming time. We want players who are willing to sacrifice and dedicate themselves to the team like the big brothers Ngoc Tan and Dinh Trieu.
If we want to build a garden, we have to choose each tree in it. If we want to create a good football team, it is the same.
After leaving the Korean club Jeonbuk, many attacks were directed at you and your family. Now after winning the 2024 ASEAN Cup, how has your mood changed?
- The role of head coach is always a difficult job. When you fail, you will feel pressure, but when you win the championship, you will be very happy. When I won the ASEAN Cup, my family and I were very satisfied during the past time.
I always feel pressured in training and competing for the players. The last time I led Jeonbuk club was not very good, but I feel comfortable and happy to be here. Because it was difficult before, now that I am successful, I feel even happier. Through this championship, my family is very happy and supports me. When receiving awards, I want to invite my parents, wife and children to delicious meals. That culture is probably similar to Vietnamese people.
Can you share more about your plans for the Lunar New Year holiday?
- I live alone in the Federation's coaching housing. My family includes my wife, my son in college, and my daughter in high school. All three of them are living in Korea.
I also think that after finishing my work here, I hope to have a vacation to visit my family. During Tet, I will stay in Vietnam and invite my family to come here to learn about Vietnamese culture and travel.
Finally, do you have any message for the fans who have been following the Vietnam National Team recently?
- I would like to thank the fans. Thanks to you, Vietnamese football has developed as it is today. Thanks to everyone's encouragement and support, in difficult times, the players have more motivation to fight with all their might, like in the last tournament. I would also like to thank and wish all the fans a happy new year and good health. I hope everyone will always support the Vietnam National Team.
