Strategic turning point

VHO - On the afternoon of October 5, the appearance of Harry Kewell (former Liverpool player, 2005 Champions League champion) in Hanoi not only "stirred up" the Vietnamese football world but also opened a new chapter in the journey to affirm the position of Hanoi Club in particular and V.League in general.

Coach Harry Kewell was welcomed by fans on the afternoon of October 5, at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi . Photo: HANOI CLUB

The decision of Mr. Hien to “go all in” to bring in a big name from Europe is, in the eyes of many, a risky “gamble”. But if we look deeper, this is a strategic move that demonstrates a long-term vision: Using the attraction of an international star to create a strong boost for the entire domestic football industry.

The presence of Harry Kewell immediately brings immeasurable value to Hanoi FC and the V.League. First of all, in terms of image and brand, having a coach who has fought in the Premier League and the World Cup makes Hanoi FC different.

From a media perspective, this is a "golden rain" that helps the club cover the international press, raising the position not only of the capital team but also of the V.League, which is always thirsty for attention from outside the border.

In the country, after the information about this coach leading Hanoi Club was revealed, the Capital Football Club immediately became the focus of the newspapers naturally because the articles on this topic attracted a large number of readers. In terms of media, Hanoi Football Club has benefited from the spectacular handshake of Mr. Hien.

Second, in terms of expertise, Kewell brings a modern coaching philosophy, absorbed from the world's leading football environment. His experience as an assistant at Celtic (Scotland's top club) and coaching Yokohama F. Marinos (AFC Champions League runner-up 2023/2024) has helped him accumulate valuable knowledge to build a methodical, fast-paced and competitive playing style. This is the piece that Vietnamese football has always longed for - a radical change in tactical thinking, instead of just relying on excitement or coping experience.

Third, the arrival of a European-caliber coach can boost the youth development ecosystem. Working with Technical Director Yusuke Adachi, Coach Kewell can create a bridge between the first team and the youth team, shaping a synchronized playing style.

On a broader perspective, Mr. Hien’s decision also has symbolic value. It shows that Vietnamese football is attractive enough to attract names that were once legends in Europe.

Of course, every “gamble” has risks. What makes the public question Kewell’s level of understanding of Vietnamese football. Will a coach who has worked in Europe and Japan be quick enough to adapt to the V.League environment, where performance pressure, field conditions and refereeing are still complex problems?

Besides, the cost of bringing Kewell back is certainly not small. In the context of many Vietnamese clubs still facing financial difficulties, this "huge" investment by Mr. Hien also makes some people skeptical about whether the effectiveness on the field is commensurate with the amount of money spent?

However, these concerns only account for a very small part compared to the trust and expectations. The history of world football shows that many foreign coaches from different environments have still succeeded when daring to bring innovation. More importantly, Hanoi FC possesses the best quality players in V.League, from domestic stars to experienced foreign players, enough for Kewell to implement his tactical ideas.

Moreover, this “all-in” move is not simply aimed at short-term achievements. This is a long-term plan to change the club, turning Hanoi FC into a modern style team, able to compete in the AFC Champions League and become the pride of Vietnamese football on the international stage.

The Harry Kewell event in Hanoi is a testament to the great desire of Mr. Hien and Hanoi FC, which is not to accept standing still, not to be satisfied with the number one position in the country, but to aim for a broader vision. This "all-in" move may contain risks, but in that risk lies the opportunity to break through.

Vietnamese football is in need of breakthrough steps to reach out to the continent. Hanoi FC under the leadership of Harry Kewell may not immediately change its appearance, but it will certainly sow confidence, inspire and raise the standards for the entire V.League. In this gamble, Mr. Hien not only bets on Hanoi FC, but also bets on the aspiration of integration and reaching out of Vietnamese football.

Coach Harry Kewell, born in 1978, is a familiar name to many Vietnamese football fans. In his international career, the Australian football legend played 56 times for the national team, scored 17 goals and participated in 2 World Cups in 2006 and 2010. At the club level, Harry Kewell became famous in the Premier League with Leeds United and Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League 2004/2005 and the FA Cup 2005/2006. After retiring at the age of 36, Harry Kewell began his coaching career in 2017, leading clubs in England such as Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet. In 2022, he joined the coaching staff of Celtic Club (Scotland) as an assistant to coach Ange Postecoglou, before taking over as head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in early 2024. Under his leadership, the Japanese team won the runner-up position in the 2023/2024 AFC Champions League.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/buoc-ngoat-chien-luoc-172676.html