Coach Arthur Diles reveals three reasons for choosing Cong An TP.HCM

The newly appointed coach Arthur Diles outlined the aspects that made him take charge of Cong An TP.HCM, emphasizing the team's ambition and the opportunity in the Shopee Cup.

Arthur Diles pointed out three factors behind his decision to lead Cong An TP.HCM: the growth of Vietnamese football, the ambition at Thong Nhat Stadium, and the chance to compete in the Shopee Cup.

The Australian coach was appointed on July 15, replacing interim coach Phung Thanh Phuong. Before arriving in Vietnam, he led Melbourne Victory to the A-League 2024/25 final and concluded his tenure with 50 matches.

Diles shared: “First, I see that Vietnamese football is on the rise, gaining attention and recognition across Asia. The league's quality is constantly improving. Everyone knows that Vietnamese football is receiving massive investment.”

The appeal lies in the project that Cong An TP.HCM is building. The team recently won the 2025/26 National Cup and secured a spot in the Shopee Cup. Diles stressed: “At this club, Cong An TP.HCM is a team with great ambition and motivation to succeed. The chance to play in the Shopee Cup is also a major factor that brought me here to help the team achieve success, not only in Vietnam but across Asia.”

That decision shows Diles sees an ambitious project, where his experience in the A-League can help create a more modern operation. In return, the position at Thong Nhat Stadium comes with performance pressure.

Diles stated frankly: “There is always pressure in this job because everyone wants to win. The key is to accept the pressure and the responsibility that comes with it. You have to work extremely hard to ensure success for the club.”

In terms of tactics, the 44-year-old strategist wants to build a flexible, attacking style of play. He described: “A team, when stepping onto the pitch, must always be united like a family to fight. We must be a team capable of executing multiple plans on the field, depending on what the opponent is doing; flexible to adjust our play against each opponent, playing fiercely, attacking, and wanting to score many goals.”

Cong An TP.HCM is currently finalizing the squad, while improving fitness and shaping the playing style. Diles said the preparation process has been going on for nearly two weeks, while the team only has about a month before the Super Cup. The coaching staff therefore must simultaneously refine tactics and the adaptability of the new signings. The Super Cup match will be the first test for the attacking ambition that Arthur Diles is instilling in the team.