Viettel Football Club restructures coaching team, heralding a fresh era

Viettel Club Bids Farewell to Coach Thang

Sports

In a shocking turn of events, Thể Công Viettel Club has parted ways with coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng, despite their competitive position in the V.League 1 with just six games remaining.

The decision was made following their narrow 1-0 win over Sông Lam Nghệ An last Friday. Coach Thắng voiced disappointment over the team's second-phase performance in the national premier league, which fell short of expectations, necessitating a change in strategy to secure better results.

"I'm grateful for my time with Thể Công, both as a coach and a former player. I wish the team continued success under new leadership," Thắng commented.

Despite the victory, the game left fans unconvinced. Thể Công's performance was lackluster against SLNA, barely escaping with a last-minute penalty, while SLNA was unfortunate not to scored a goal that would've swung the match in their favor.

Thắng, known for his impressive coaching career with teams such as Sài Gòn FC and Bình Định, has built a reputation as one of Việt Nam's most professional coaches. Following the win against SLNA, Thể Công moved into the top three, currently accumulating 33 points after 20 matches. The pressure is high, with six rounds left in the V.League 1.

Last season, Thể Công placed fifth in the league and failed to retain their silver medal in the National Cup. This season, the club aims to capture the V.League 1 championship, putting immense pressure on both the coach and players.

Taking over as head coach is Velizar Popov, a familiar face in the world of Vietnamese football, who recently ended his tenure with Thanh Hóa. The club's management has set a demanding goal for Popov: to win the National Cup championship. This objective is daunting, as their semi-final opponent in June will be the formidable Hà Nội Police.

However, considering Popov's track record of leading Thanh Hóa to consecutive National Cup victories, fans have reason to be hopeful. If he can guide Thể Công to victory, he would make history as the first foreign coach to win three consecutive National Cup titles, an unparalleled achievement in Vietnamese football.

As the V.League 1 progresses, Thể Công's story continues to captivate. Six games remain, and only six points separate them from the leading team, Nam Định. If they can make the most of their opportunities and apply consistent pressure, Popov and his team could aspire to an extraordinary double—both the V.League 1 and National Cup titles—in his inaugural season.

Popov brings a wealth of coaching experience to Thể Công and, with his knack for high-stakes matches, appears poised to breathe new life into the team, setting the stage for an exhilarating end to the season.

Coaching History

Thể Công Viettel Club have parted ways with coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng (centre). - Photo nld.com.vn

Existing search results provide limited information about Velizar Popov's coaching history in V.League 1 or Vietnam's National Cup:

Name Mention: Velizar Popov appears in a Vietnamese article discussing Chu Thanh Huyền's business controversies, where he is described as starting coaching work (specific details unspecified).
Ambiguity: The connection to football coaching is unclear from the provided context, as the article focuses on business disputes and does not elaborate on his professional sports background.
Possible Confusion: The name "Velizar" is also mentioned in a Serbian celebrity article (unrelated to sports coaching).

For comprehensive details about his coaching career, further verified sources specifically documenting his involvement in V.League 1 or the National Cup would be necessary. The current search results offer insufficient evidence to establish his coaching history in Vietnam. It is possible that the name "Velizar Popov" in the Vietnamese article refers to a different individual not prominently associated with football coaching. Verifying information from official V.League 1 records or club announcements would be necessary for confirmation.

The arrival of Velizar Popov at Thể Công Viettel Club marks a new chapter, as he takes over from the departed coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng.
Popov's coaching career boasts an impressive pedigree, having led teams like Sài Gòn FC and Bình Định to notable successes.
With Popov now at the helm, Thể Công faces the contention of winning both the V.League 1 and the National Cup titles in his inaugural season.
The hopeful fans of Thể Công are captivated by the prospect of Popov steering the team towards an unparalleled double victory.
Despite the limited information about Popov's coaching history in Vietnamese football, his accomplishments in leading Thanh Hóa to consecutive National Cup victories offer grounds for optimism.