Coach Troussier: 'Whoever is not ready can leave'

Coach Philippe Troussier wants his players to focus their efforts on fighting towards Asian level, despite facing many challenges.

On the morning of November 10, President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Tran Quoc Tuan met to encourage the Vietnamese team before the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. On this occasion, coach Philippe Troussier made strong statements with the hope of inspiring all members.

The French coach emphasized that over the past eight months, he has tried to make the players understand their wishes and playing style, aiming for the ultimate goal of surpassing Southeast Asia, aiming for Asian level and in the future, approaching world level. That is also the challenge that makes him excited and agrees to lead the Vietnamese team. However, after a period of success with Coach Park Hang-seo, the effort to surpass is not easy for the players.

"Maybe not everyone can adapt to the new coach's changing style of play," said Coach Troussier. "But I am always patient and ready to help you."

Coach Philippe Troussier spoke to the Vietnamese team and VFF leaders this morning, November 10. Photo: VFF

The 68-year-old military leader continued: "If anyone is not ready, they can leave. I myself cannot work if I am not ready to face the challenge. That is the reason we are here. Nothing is too late and we must fight together."

During his eight months in charge of the team, Mr. Troussier called up and worked with nearly 80 players through four training sessions in April, June, September and October. The selection of opponents was arranged in order of skill level from low to high, respectively Hong Kong, Syria, Palestine, China, Uzbekistan and South Korea. Vietnam won the first three matches, lost the next three, scored four and conceded 10 goals.

Coach Troussier believes that if he wanted to satisfy the joy of victory, he would have chosen a weaker opponent during the preparation process. Strong opponents or opponents of equal level are for the players to get used to the challenge and realize their shortcomings faster. "I myself also see the effectiveness of my plan more clearly," he said.

After the testing period, Vietnam will enter the real battle against the Philippines and Iraq on November 16 and November 21 in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. The change in the squad is quite strong when only 11 out of 32 players are the remaining faces from the second and third qualifying rounds of the 2022 World Cup.

Difficulties still surround Mr. Troussier when many trusted faces have to say goodbye due to injuries, including Quang Hai, Doan Van Hau, Do Duy Manh. Center back Que Ngoc Hai and goalkeeper Dinh Trieu have not fully recovered from injuries. Meanwhile, the expected young players still have many shortcomings.

Hieu Luong

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