Malaysian media shocked as Portuguese coach departs Vietnamese club

Malaysian media outlets and Makan Bola concurrently covered the surprising news of Nam Dinh Steel's shock move as coach Mauro Jeronimo stepped down, with Vu Hong Viet promptly named as his successor.

According to Malaysian media, particularly the prominent sports portal Makan Bola, Nam Dinh Steel created major shockwaves when Portuguese coach Mauro Jeronimo unexpectedly resigned just days before an important match.

Malaysian newspapers assessed this decision came at a sensitive period of the season, with Nam Dinh Steel still competing across multiple fronts. Despite securing a spot in the Shopee Cup semifinals, the V.League representative had experienced four consecutive winless matches. This led Malaysian pundits to question the stability and genuine ambitions of the Nam Dinh club in regional competitions.

Malaysian media also recalled the 1-1 draw between Nam Dinh Steel and Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim during the group stage. Makan Bola's analysis suggested this result demonstrated the Vietnamese representative wasn't easily defeated, but simultaneously revealed issues in maintaining consistent form.

Immediately following Jeronimo's departure, the club management appointed Vu Hong Viet to the hot seat. This is considered a familiar yet effective solution, since Mr. Vu Hong Viet previously helped Nam Dinh Steel secure two domestic championships. Malaysian press believes this return could provide significant morale boost for the team.

In the Shopee Cup semifinals, Nam Dinh Steel will face Selangor FC on May 6th and 13th. Malaysian media observes that changing leadership right before knockout rounds could become crucial turning point. However, they also emphasize that tactical stability and competitive mentality will determine whether Nam Dinh Steel can advance further.