Hanoi - Kim Sang-sik, the coach who led Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the K League 1 championship in 2021, has been named the new head coach for both the Vietnamese men's senior and under-23 national football teams.
According to Yonhap News Agency, statements made during his first press conference at the Vietnamese Football Federation in Hanoi, Kim emphasized loyalty and teamwork as his core values.
During the conference, Kim expressed his commitment to building a cohesive team spirit, stating, "If there is one word that encapsulates my football life, it would be loyalty, and my favorite saying in this field is 'there is no player that can beat the team.'" He also highlighted his approach to fostering a winning mentality and self-sacrifice among the players. "I will do my best as head coach to help nurture all players on the Vietnamese national teams to become loyal players through healthy rivalry," he added.
Kim also paid tribute to his predecessor, South Korean coach Park Hang-seo, under whom Vietnam saw significant achievements, including their first ASEAN Football Federation Championship victory in a decade in 2018 and a quarterfinal appearance at the 2019 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. Acknowledging Park's influence and success, Kim noted, "I always respect him and want to walk the same path he walked." Park's warm congratulations and encouragement were also mentioned by Kim.
Kim expressed his aspiration to build a familial relationship with the team, aiming to be a supportive figure like a 'brother' to the players, a nod to Park's affectionate nickname 'papa' given by the players. Kim's contract with the Vietnamese national teams extends until March 31, 2026, and he is slated to make his coaching debut in June in matches against the Philippines and Iraq in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.