Coach Kim Sang Sik reveals the secret to success in Vietnam: From advice like a brother to the "51% formula"

Coach Kim Sang Sik shared with Korean media the secret to leading Vietnamese football teams.

Coach Kim Sang Sik demonstrated his skill with Vietnamese football after being appointed in 2024. The Joongang in March interviewed Coach Kim Sang Sik and stated that he turned Vietnamese football into a "dark horse" in Southeast Asia by winning three major tournaments: the AFF Cup 2025, the Southeast Asian U23 Championship 2025, and the SEA Games 2025. The Korean newspaper was also impressed when Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Vietnamese U23 team won the bronze medal at the Asian U23 Championship 2026, defeating the Korean U23 team after a penalty shootout.

Coach Kim shared with the Joongang: "We achieved good results in every competition, the Vietnamese people were also happy, so everyone was joyful. In restaurants, taxis, or parking lots, many people said 'no charge,' which made me a bit embarrassed, but these experiences made the coaching job interesting and worthwhile."

Coach Kim shared his complex feelings after the Vietnamese U23 team defeated his home country's Korean U23 team: "After the match, seeing the Vietnamese players celebrating, I also saw the Korean players sitting down crying right beside."

Coach Kim particularly emphasized the importance of "communication." Coach Kim said: "I set medium and long-term goals like reaching the Top 10 in Asia or qualifying for the World Cup finals, but tactical tasks for each stage I always explained clearly and simply. For example, when conveying the intention 'to maintain a tight three-line formation spacing,' I would express it like: 'I want to frequently see all 10 players on the field appear together in one live broadcast frame.'"

An equal relationship with the players is also a key to success. Coach Kim shared: "Whenever I have time, I dine or drink tea to chat with the players. Many players willingly share even personal matters unrelated to football. I am creating an atmosphere where they consider it 'advice from a brother who cares for them' rather than 'a command from the coach.'"

The process of changing Vietnamese football also transformed Kim Sang Sik's approach. He explained: "A coach is like a chef, deciding which ingredients (players) to use and how to cook the dish (tactics)." He added: "Previously, I regretted unused ingredients or cooking methods. But when coming to Vietnam, facing challenges in a new environment, if there was a 51% chance of success, I learned to boldly discard the remaining 49% from my mind and become more flexible."

This month, Coach Kim participated in a youth football academy event held in Ho Chi Minh City. Flying over 1,200 km just to teach young players for about two hours, he emphasized: "For Vietnamese football to truly develop, it is necessary to educate and guide young talents correctly. If it is about nurturing the future generation, I will be ready to commit anywhere."