Kim Sang Sik: From being blocked by Korean fans demanding resignation to becoming a hero of Vietnamese football

Leaving behind the negative emotions at home, coach Kim Sang-sik chose Vietnam as his next destination, and what followed became history.

In May 2023, Korean football witnessed a strange scene: Coach Kim Sang-sik stepped off the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors bus surrounded by aggressive fans. They blocked the bus, held banners, and demanded his resignation.

Although he had won the K-League 1 and FA Cup titles, just one poor season made the fans change their opinion of him. He left the club he had been with for 10 years without complaints or blame.

A turning point in the S-shaped land

When Coach Kim Sang-sik arrived in Vietnam in 2024, many doubted his ability. However, this turned out to be the smartest choice in the career of the strategist born in 1976. Instead of choosing safety, he faced enormous pressure from the shadow of his predecessor Park Hang-seo. But here, the "Kim Sang-sik miracle" began.

Within just two years, Coach Kim transformed doubt into strength. He became the chief architect of a hugely successful year for Vietnamese sports with an impressive collection of titles: winning the ASEAN Cup 2024, successfully defending the U23 Southeast Asia championship in 2025, and securing the gold medal at SEA Games 33.

Vietnamese fans welcomed him and the players as heroes. From Mỹ Đình to Thiên Trường stadiums, his name was chanted endlessly.

Victory anthem in Jeddah and the Korean fans’ "change of heart"

The pinnacle of his journey was the bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia. The brave victory over U23 Korea in the third-place match earned respect across the continent. The image of the resilient "Golden Star Warriors," playing short-handed yet defeating the home team of their own coach, caused a media sensation.

On the night of January 24, 2026, Nội Bài Airport erupted as Coach Kim and his team returned. Despite Hanoi’s cold below 10°C, Kim Sang-sik stepped out surrounded by a "sea of people" fans.

They welcomed and thanked him, offering flowers and showing admiration. Ironically, Korean media and fans began to "change their minds," expressing regret and hoping he would return home to contribute to Korean football.

Coach Kim Sang-sik proved that football is not only about tactics but also about understanding and trust. Once considered a "trainee" in the K-League, he stood tall to become the "master architect" of Vietnamese football, reigniting the World Cup dream for a football-loving nation.

Football is harsh by nature, but it always rewards those who never give up. Kim Sang-sik traveled a long road from the K-League to tears of joy amid the "sea of fans" in Hanoi. He brought not only titles but also renewed faith in kindness and determination for a whole generation of young Vietnamese players.

Now, as the banners at Jeonbuk fade into the past, Coach Kim Sang-sik proudly stands atop regional football as a great coach.

His journey in Vietnam is not only a new chapter in his coaching career but also the strongest proof of the saying: "Where respect is given, miracles will flourish."