HOT: Coach Kim Sang Sik may no longer lead the Vietnam U23 team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is confronted with the likelihood of not personally guiding the Vietnam U23 team in 2026, given the dense competition calendar could compel him to hand over responsibilities to assistant Dinh Hong Vinh.

The matter that Coach Kim Sang Sik might not directly oversee the Vietnam U23 team in 2026 is becoming a major question, as the national team's packed schedule coincides with youth-level tournaments. With Vietnamese football entering a peak period carrying numerous crucial tasks, the potential for a "delegation of authority" strategy within the coaching staff is gradually emerging.

According to the schedule, the Vietnam national team will begin its series of competitions with the AFF Cup 2026 from late July, aiming to defend its championship title. This is a highly competitive arena demanding maximum focus, especially as the team is accumulating points to improve its FIFA ranking position. Immediately afterward, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 follows after only a brief one-month break, nearly compressing Coach Kim Sang Sik's time allocation.

Notably, the period of the FIFA ASEAN Cup coincides with ASIAD 2026 – a tournament the Vietnam U23 team will participate in. However, unlike the performance-oriented goals of the national team, this ASIAD is positioned as an experience-building platform for the U21 generation. This partly indicates a clear prioritization has been established.

In that context, Coach Kim Sang Sik temporarily "stepping away" from the Vietnam U23 team to focus on the national team is a completely plausible scenario. When tournaments like the AFF Cup, FIFA ASEAN Cup, or Asian Cup hold pivotal significance, concentrating full efforts on the senior team is not only a strategic choice but also a practical necessity.

If this scenario unfolds, the name most frequently mentioned for the replacement role is acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh. This assistant is not an unfamiliar figure, having previously directly led the Vietnam U23 team in several international friendly matches. During Coach Kim Sang Sik's busy commitments with the national team, Mr. Vinh has also taken charge of training operations, tactical development, and closely monitoring the progress of young players.

Nevertheless, everything currently remains at the level of speculation. The final decision still depends on how the Vietnam Football Federation balances objectives across different team levels. But given the ongoing developments, the possibility of Coach Kim Sang Sik "delegating authority" to his colleague for the Vietnam U23 team is no longer a distant prospect, but is gradually becoming a viable option worth considering.