Who will replace Coach Mai Đức Chung as the head of Vietnam's women's national team?

Coach Mai Đức Chung's retirement creates a major vacancy in the leadership of Vietnam's women's national team.

According to multiple sources, Coach Mai Đức Chung has submitted a request to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to step down after his contract ends on December 31, 2025. However, the 76-year-old coach has yet to make a final decision and will wait for an official meeting soon.

Earlier, Coach Mai Đức Chung shared:"I will step down after this SEA Games regardless of the results because over 40 years of coaching and nearly 20 years dedicated to the women's team is enough for me to give my all as the leader. At my age, I still have strength, but the head coach position requires someone younger and more energetic to lead the team further in the new phase."

In the search for a successor to carry on Coach Mai Đức Chung’s extensive legacy after SEA Games 33, the personnel issue has become more urgent than ever. After expert Akira Ijiri officially left Vietnamese football to return to Japan at the end of 2024, the option previously recommended by Coach Chung is no longer viable. The departure of this strategist, who deeply understands domestic football, has forced the Vietnam Football Federation to broaden its search to promising new candidates.

Among domestic candidates, former star players like Văn Thị Thanh, Đoàn Thị Kim Chi, and Đoàn Minh Hải are strong contenders. Notably, Văn Thị Thanh — currently coaching Thái Nguyên T&T — holds a major advantage as the first female coach in Vietnam with a prestigious Pro license. Combining top-level playing experience with solid academic credentials, this former protégé of Coach Mai Đức Chung is highly anticipated by experts.

At the same time, Coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi has established herself as the top figure at the club level by leading Ho Chi Minh City’s women’s team to dominate domestically and make a significant impact in the AFC Women's Champions League. Although she is currently an assistant at the national team and wields considerable influence over key players, her biggest challenge is the need to obtain additional advanced certifications required by the AFC to qualify officially as head coach.

However, the most favored candidate right now is Coach Hoàng Văn Phúc. With extensive experience from youth teams to leading Hanoi FC, he holds a unique advantage by working closely alongside Coach Mai Đức Chung during the SEA Games 33 campaign. His deep understanding of the players’ mentality and playing style at the tournament makes him the safest and most promising choice to take over the hot seat left by his predecessor.