The next day Kim Sang-sik in Vietnam, hanging in front

Kim Sang-sik's tomorrow in Vietnam, hanging in front

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Kim Sang-sik became the coach of Đội cuốc bóng đá Việt Nam and was recognized for his achievements in the region. Despite his achievements, his future as a coach is tied to changes in the VFF and the uncertain schedule of the Asian Cup 2027. His current contract expires in February 2027, leaving the question of whether he will remain in his position after the tournament.

Why it matters

Coach Kim Sang-sik's future has a big impact on the development of Đội cuốc bóng đá Việt Nam, especially in their preparations for the Asian Cup 2027. The decisions of the new VFF leadership can set a new direction for the national team, which is critical to their participation in the World Cup 2030 qualifiers. Changes in leadership can affect the team's strategy and goals in the future.

Key Points

• Kim Sang-sik's next day in Vietnam, hanging in front.
• It is not yet certain whether Kim Sang-sik will remain as Vietnam coach after the 2027 Asian Cup due to the scheduled VFF elections and the possibility of the tournament being delayed in Saudi Arabia.
• Dấu hội vịnh tộm lai đương HLV Kim Sang-sik Đội Việt Nam.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's future as head of Vietnam's national team is still unclear, even with a series of trophies in the region, due to simultaneous changes within the federation and the uncertain schedule of the Asian Cup 2027. According to a report by VnExpress, Liên duọn Bóng đá Việt Nam (VFF) will wait until after their 10th Congress in January 2027 before formally discussing a new agreement with Kim. That means, even if his current contract expires in February 2027, there is no guarantee now if he will still rule Vietnam after the Asian Cup. The VFF Congress is scheduled to take place on January 4, 2027—a few days before Vietnam competes in the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. There are three presidential nominees: Trần Quốc Tuấn (current president), Nguyễn Xuân Vũ (second president for communications and foreign relations), and Nguyễn Đức Thụy (former president of Ninh Bình). The outcome of the election will shape the direction that futbol in Vietnam will take—from the senior team target and youth development to the preparations for World Cup 2030 qualification—so the decision on the position of head coach will be critical. The urgency of the moment increases if the Asian Cup goes ahead on the original date, as Vietnam will compete in the tournament just days after the new leadership is elected. Under the regulation, Kim can talk to another team because he has less than six months left on his deal; but he is expected to wait for the VFF and the outcome of the Asian Cup before making a decision. Kim was appointed in May 2024 as Philippe Troussier's replacement and received a two-year contract with an automatic extension when goals are met. His deliveries were one after the other: ASEAN Cup 2024 championship, U23 Southeast Asia 2025 crown, and SEA Games 33 gold medal in December 2025—allowing the contract to automatically extend until the end of the Asian Cup 2027. Add to this the bronze medal at the U23 Asian Cup 2026 and successfully defending the ASEAN Cup 2026. In terms of titles, surpassed his compatriot Park Hang-seo, although Park carved bigger continental marks (silver in the U23 Asia 2018, quarterfinal in the Asian Cup 2019, and first Vietnam reaching the third round of the World Cup 2022 qualifiers in Asia).

In the Asian Cup 2027, Vietnam is in Group E and is scheduled to face the UAE on January 11, South Korea on January 15, and Yemen on January 20. Twenty-four teams will play, and the six group champions, six runners-up, and four best thirds will advance to the Round of 16. Vietnam is aiming to get through the group stage—even more of a challenge now that South Korea is among the top in the region and the UAE is also a higher rated force. But there was another obstacle beyond anyone's control: the threat of delaying the Asian Cup due to security fears in Saudi Arabia. This October, concern increased after a series of Houthi attacks from Yemen. On October 14, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa admitted that it is possible to move the tournament to 2028 if the situation demands and mentioned that they could wait until the end of November for a decision. This indicates that the AFC is still open to adjusting the calendar. If the Asian Cup is pushed back to the end of 2027 or to 2028, Kim's contract will likely expire before the competition even begins. This will require an immediate decision by the VFF: early renewal to ensure continuity, or more time for review—while Kim is also free to weigh other opportunities. As of now, there are no confirmed plans from either side. Another priority for Vietnam is the upcoming cycle of the World Cup 2030 qualifiers in Asia scheduled to begin in 2027, where Vietnam will enter from the second round. That means a long-term program is required—building the pool, refining the game system, and constantly rejuvenating the group. Despite the foundation built over the past two years, the direction still rests on many factors: the outcome of the VFF election, the course of the Asian Cup schedule, team performance, and how the positions of both sides converge in negotiations.

What's next

The VFF is expected to await the outcome of its 10th Congress in January 2027 before discussing the possible renewal of Kim's contract. If the Asian Cup 2027 goes ahead as originally scheduled, Vietnam will enter the tournament days after the election, bringing additional pressure on the new leadership. Decisions in the coming weeks could set the path for the team for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Coach Kim Sang-sik?

Coach Kim Sang-sik's future as head coach of the Vietnam national team is still unclear due to changes in the federation and the uncertain schedule of the 2027 Asian Cup.

Who confirmed about the VFF election?

According to the VnExpress report, the Liên duọn Bóng đá Việt Nam (VFF) will wait until gang after their 10th Congress in January 2027 before discussing a new agreement with Kim.

Why are the VFF elections important to the future of football in Vietnam?

The VFF election is important because its outcome will shape the direction of futbol in Vietnam, including the targets of the senior team and youth development.

What changes can happen to the Vietnam team?

Kim Sang-sik may talk to another team as he has less than six months left on his contract, but is expected to wait for the VFF and the outcome of the Asian Cup.

When is the Asian Cup 2027 scheduled to take place?

The 2027 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place a few days after the election of the new VFF leadership on January 4, 2027.

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