Coach Mai Duc Chung reveals retirement date, recommends replacement

On the morning of October 23, the Vietnamese women's team had their final training session at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center before moving to Uzbekistan to prepare for the second qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

HLV Mai Đức Chung hé lộ thời điểm nghỉ hưu, tiến cử người thay thế - Ảnh 1. — Coach Mai Duc Chung confirmed that he will leave the Vietnamese women's team after the second qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Notably, the second qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics is also the last tournament of coach Mai Duc Chung as head coach of the Vietnamese women's team.

Sharing about this, Mr. Chung said: “I think what will come will come, I cannot do it forever, no matter what position. When the bamboo is old, the young bamboo will grow. It is time for me to rest. At the end of this year, when the contract with VFF expires, I will retire.

This is my last tournament with the Vietnam women's team. I have been there for a long time and I want the next coach to do better than me.

I have worked for many years, had a lot of luck, had the support and help of the whole team, of the clubs that sent players to the national team for us to compete. Especially the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Sports and Physical Training, and the Vietnam Football Federation have supported me for many years."

In the conversation on the morning of October 23, Coach Mai Duc Chung also nominated Coach Akira Ijiri for the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

“We have coach Akira Ijiri who has led the youth team (U20 and U17 women's Vietnam) for many years. I believe Mr. Akira will understand the culture and lifestyle of Vietnam. He is also highly qualified.

Coach Akira is a convenient option, helping VFF avoid having to hire experts from other places, but when they return, they will not understand the culture and lifestyle of the women's team. That is the best choice for the Vietnamese women's team," Coach Mai Duc Chung proposed.

Coach Mai Duc Chung added that he is currently resting because his health is not as good as before.

However, he still left open the possibility of returning as an advisor for the Vietnamese women's team if he receives an offer from the VFF.

On the evening of October 22, Coach Mai Duc Chung announced the list of 22 players who will join the red-shirt girls in the second qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

At this tournament, Huynh Nhu and her teammates will face Uzbekistan (October 26), India (October 29) and Japan (November 1).

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