Foreign coaches in V-League: Some rejoice, others despair

Only three rounds into the 2025/26 V-League season, the differences among the five foreign coaches have already become evident. The top three clubs are pleased as their foreign managers guide them correctly, while the two teams at the bottom have fallen into a crisis spiral.

This contrast sketches a scenario of both opportunities and risks for international coaches in Vietnam’s top football league.

At the lower end of the table, the two most disappointing names are Thanh Hóa, led by South Korean coach Choi Kwon Won, and Hà Nội FC, managed by Japanese coach Makoto Teguramori.

After three matches, neither team has achieved a single win, both positioned in the relegation zone. This is a rare situation for clubs traditionally rated highly for their heritage and ambitions.