Uncertainty about Coach Kim Sang-sik's Future in Vietnam
November 4, 2026 · Perú
Coach Kim Sang-sik's future with the Vietnam national team is in danger of uncertainty with his contract expiring in February 2027. Changes at LĐBĐ Vietnam and the possible postponement of the Asian Cup are the main factors.
Uncertainty of Coach Kim Sang-sik's Future in Vietnam
Why this is important
The uncertainty of coach Kim Sang-sik's future with the Vietnam national team has the potential to affect the team's preparations ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup. With his contract expiring in February 2027, the decisions taken by LĐBĐ Vietnam after the 10th Congress could determine the direction and strategy of the Vietnam national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and future tournaments.
Background
Coach Kim Sang-sik has led the Vietnam national team to much success in the last two years, but this uncertainty could affect the team's performance ahead of major competitions. With only four months remaining on his contract, VFF's decision will be crucial for the future of the coach and the team.
Main Points
- Uncertainty of Coach Kim Sang-sik's Future in Vietnam.
- Coach Kim Sang-sik's future with the Vietnam national team is in danger of uncertainty with his contract expiring in February 2027.
- Dấu hỏi quanh tương lai của HLV Kim Sang-sik ở Việt Nam.
Kim's current contract expires in February 2027, just about four months from now. The 10th VFF Congress is planned to be held on January 4, 2027, close to the time when the Vietnam national team will participate in the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. In the list of candidates announced by the VFF on October 21, there are three candidates for the position of Chairman of the VFF period 10, namely Trần Quốc Tuấn (Chairman period 9), Nguyễn Xuân Vũ (Deputy Chairman who handles media and foreign relations period 9), and Nguyễn Đức Thụy (former Chairman of the Ninh Bình club). The results of this election could influence the negotiation process with Kim.
The new leadership must determine the direction of Vietnam's football development for the coming period, including the national team's goals, youth development strategy, as well as plans for qualifying for the 2030 World Cup. The appointment of the head coach is an important decision in this process. Waiting until the VFF Congress also makes the time for negotiations more pressing. If the Asian Cup happens as scheduled, Kim will lead the team to Saudi Arabia just days after selecting new leadership.
In principle, Kim can negotiate with other clubs when he has less than six months remaining on his contract. However, the coach who was born in 1976 will probably choose to wait for the VFF until after the Asian Cup. After winning a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in December 2025, Kim once spoke to Vietnamese media about his future. He expressed satisfaction working with the Vietnamese players and believed that the achievements achieved had created a good coaching record.
Kim was appointed coach in May 2024, replacing coach Philippe Troussier, at a time when Vietnamese football was facing difficult times. The initial contract is for two years, accompanied by an automatic extension clause if the target is achieved. After helping the national team win the 2024 ASEAN Cup title and the U23s becoming champions in the 2025 Southeast Asia U23s and winning the 33rd SEA Games gold medal, he is eligible for a contract extension until after the 2027 Asian Cup.
To date, Kim Sang-sik has become one of the most successful coaches in Vietnamese football history. Apart from the three titles mentioned, he also helped the U23s win a bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asia before defending the 2026 ASEAN Cup title with the national team. When compared with the number of titles, he surpassed compatriot Park Hang-seo, the coach who led Vietnam to the 2018 AFF Cup title and two SEA Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021.
However, although past achievements do not guarantee a contract extension, the decision to continue cooperation will depend on long-term goals, financial conditions and the agreement between the coach and VFF. The 2027 Asian Cup is the next important benchmark for Kim. According to the schedule released by the Asian Football Federation (AFC) on October 26, Vietnam is in group E, where they will face the UAE on January 11, South Korea on January 15, and Yemen on January 20. This tournament was attended by 24 teams divided into six groups, with the best six teams from each group proceeding to the knockout phase.
Vietnam had a target of going further than the group stage after reaching the quarter-finals in 2019 but was eliminated in the group stage in the 2023 edition. This will be a big challenge because South Korea is one of the strongest teams in Asia, while the UAE is also more favored than Vietnam. If Kim succeeds in taking Vietnam past the group phase, this will provide a strong basis to convince the VFF to continue entrusting him with leadership. On the other hand, an unsatisfactory result could complicate negotiations, despite Kim's proven achievements on the Southeast Asian stage.
However, there are factors beyond the control of Kim or the VFF that make this plan difficult to predict: the possible postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup due to the security situation in Saudi Arabia. In October, rocket and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi group raised concerns about the host country's ability to ensure security for teams, officials and fans. On 14 October, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa acknowledged that the tournament may have to be postponed until 2028 if circumstances force organizers to change plans. "We can wait until the end of November," he told reporters in Zurich, Switzerland, stressing that the situation in the region could change quickly, both in positive and negative directions. This statement shows that the AFC has not ruled out the possibility of adjusting the schedule even though the planned opening time of January 7 2027 is approaching.
If the Asian Cup is postponed until late 2027 or 2028, the contract between VFF and Kim could end long before the tournament takes place. In this case, both parties must rework cooperation plans, not just wait for the results of the Asian tournament to make a decision. One possibility is that the VFF extends the contract early to ensure stability for the national team. However, the federation may also need more time to evaluate, while Kim has the right to consider other career options. Currently, there is no information confirming that the VFF or the South Korean coach have reached a concrete agreement on this situation. This uncertainty also extends to preparations for the 2030 World Cup, where Asian qualifying is scheduled to begin in 2027, with Vietnam starting from the second qualifying phase. This is a campaign that requires long-term preparation, from team formation, selecting game strategies, to squad rejuvenation plans. After more than two years, Kim has created a foundation of significant achievements. However, he still doesn't know whether he will continue to coach the current generation of players into the new World Cup cycle. Therefore, the future of the South Korean coach depends on many variables simultaneously: the results of the 10th VFF Congress, the possibility of holding the Asian Cup as scheduled, the performance of the Vietnam national team, as well as the agreement between the two parties in the negotiation process.
What happened next
After the 10th VFF Congress in January 2027, it is hoped that there will be clarity regarding Kim Sang-sik's future. If new leadership is elected, they must immediately determine a development strategy for the Vietnam national team and prepare the team to face challenges in the 2027 Asian Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to coach Kim Sang-sik's future in the Vietnam national team?
The future of coach Kim Sang-sik is in question as his contract expires in February 2027, and there is a potential change in leadership at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
Who confirmed the information about Kim Sang-sik's future?
Information regarding Kim Sang-sik's future was confirmed by VnExpress.
Why is now an important time for Kim Sang-sik's contract negotiations?
Now is a crucial time as the VFF must wait until the end of the 10th Congress in January 2027 before it can begin contract extension negotiations with Kim Sang-sik.
What changes are likely to occur after the 10th VFF Congress?
After the 10th VFF Congress, new leadership will determine the direction of Vietnam's football development, including national team goals and youth development strategies.
What impact will the election of VFF Chairman have on Kim Sang-sik?
The results of the VFF Chairman election may influence the contract negotiation process with Kim Sang-sik, which is an important decision in the development of Vietnamese football.
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