Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — Major media of the Repubꦇlic of Koreahas reported Kim Sang-sik wi🧸ll take over as head coach of the Vietnam nationalfootball team, with the contract being announced soon.

The former coach of Korean multi-time champion Jeonbuk HyundaiMotors will succeed French Philippe Troussier and his fellow Park Hang-seo. Park ended his five-year reign last year, building the nationalbest ever football period. Troussier took over the baton weeks later but failedto meet the national hope before being dismissed last month. "A source close to the football community in Southeast Asiatold KBS that Kim recently signed a contract with the Vietnam FootballFederation (VFF). The 47-year-old reportedly wrapped up negotiations with theVietnamese side after returning to South Korea last week from a stay inEurope," KBS News reported exclusively. "Kim, who left the head coach job with Jeonbuk last spring,is set to depart for Vietnam later this week under a two-year contract runningthrough March 2026," it added. The move comes nearly one year after Kim resigned from the Jeonbukmanager position in the early days of the 2023 K League 1 during which he facedcriticism for a poor start to the campaign. "The VFF's selection of Kim was reportedly due to Park'ssolid leadership that helped Vietmam become runners-up at the 2018 AFC U23Championships and advance to the third regional qualifying stage for the 2022FIFA World Cup for the first time," KBS News continued. The news was also confirmed by other Korean media outlets. Kim joined Jeonbuk in 2009 during his playing days. Afterwards, hebecame a leader, serving as a playing coach in 2013 before taking over asJeonbuk's head coach in 2021. In total, he spent 15 years with one team as aplayer and coach. He has achieved many title in his coaching career such as theK-League 1 in his first year of debut as head coach, the 2022 Korea FootballAssociation FA Cup (now Korea Cup), and advancing to the semi-finals of the AFCChampions League. Personally, he was voted manager of the month twice in 2022; KLeague 1 manager of the year in 2021; Korean FA Coach of the Year in 2021 andKorean FA Cup Best Manager in 2022. Kim did not coach any team following his resignation. TheVietnamese national team will be the second team he has helmed. The VFF did not confirm the news but said an official announcementwill be released as soon as possible. Vietnam will have two matches with Iraq and the Philippines at thesecond 2026 World Cup qualification./.