Former captain of Vietnam national team bids farewell to Da Nang

Technical director Phan Thanh Hung formally withdraws from the technical staff of SHB Da Nang Club starting 01/02, marking the end of a year working alongside the main squad.

After the conclusion of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship and the 2025/26 V-League resumes, clubs quickly experience personnel changes. In Da Nang, the most notable news is that Mr. Phan Thanh Hung – the club’s technical director – will no longer be part of the next phase starting from 01/02.

According to updates from the tournament organizers (VPF), Mr. Phan Thanh Hung is no longer listed as a participant in Da Nang Club’s matches. This means the veteran coach will not continue his technical and coaching duties with the team for the remainder of the season.

Born in 1960 in Da Nang, Mr. Phan Thanh Hung is a seasoned figure in Vietnamese football. He served as head coach of the Vietnam national team in 2012 and was a member of the National Coaching Council IX (2022-2026). At club level, he is highly regarded for his technical expertise and ability to read games, especially in guiding playing style and supporting the coaching staff.

In December 2024, Mr. Phan Thanh Hung returned to Da Nang as Technical Director, providing professional support to new coach Cristiano Roland. However, Roland later handed over to coach Le Duc Tuan. During this transition, Mr. Hung continued as Technical Director from February 2025 until now. After exactly one year, the former national team coach decided to step down from his technical role with the first team.

Although no longer working alongside the first team, Mr. Phan Thanh Hung still holds the position of Director of Youth Training at the SHB Da Nang Youth Academy. With his extensive experience, he is seen as well-suited for purely technical work, especially in training and foundational development, rather than management roles.

The last time Mr. Phan Thanh Hung directly coached a V-League team was with Becamex Binh Duong (formerly Becamex Ho Chi Minh City). He left the position after more than three months due to health reasons. Since then, he has mainly appeared behind the scenes in technical projects, but his passion for football is believed to remain strong, especially as the V-League becomes increasingly competitive and intense.

Therefore, Mr. Phan Thanh Hung’s departure from Da Nang Club may only be a temporary step back. In a context where many teams are constantly changing and seeking experienced personnel, it is possible that this veteran coach will remain a sought-after figure, although not every environment may suit a seasoned expert like him.