Former head coach of Vietnam national team passes away

Former Vietnam national team head coach Mr. Phan Thanh Hung has passed away at the age of 66 in his hometown of Da Nang, leaving behind much sorrow for Vietnamese football.

Vietnamese football received sad news as former national team head coach Phan Thanh Hung passed away in his hometown of Da Nang at the age of 66, after a long battle with illness. His departure has left deep regret among experts, generations of players, and fans. Notably, just two days before his death, Coach Phan Thanh Hung was still awarded the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Vietnamese Football" by the Vietnam Football Federation, recognizing his enduring contributions over several decades.

One of the most memorable highlights in Coach Phan Thanh Hung's career was the AFF Cup 2008 championship. At that time, he served as an assistant to Coach Henrique Calisto in the coaching staff of the Vietnam national team. With his professional expertise and dedication to work, he played a key role in the historic journey that helped the team reach the pinnacle of Southeast Asian football for the first time, creating an unforgettable milestone for the country's football.

Before pursuing a coaching career, Phan Thanh Hung had over a decade of playing for Da Nang club from 1980 to 1992, and also spent time representing the Vietnam national team. After retiring, he quickly transitioned into coaching and successively held various positions from national team level to professional clubs, building a reputation as one of the most technically skilled domestic coaches in Vietnamese football.

At the national team level, Coach Phan Thanh Hung served as an assistant for the Vietnam national team from 2008 to 2011, led the U23 Vietnam team before being appointed head coach of the national team in 2012. Although his tenure as the national team coach was not long, he is remembered for his calm coaching style, emphasis on ball control, game organization, and technical development for players.

At the club level, Coach Phan Thanh Hung's career left the most notable mark at Hanoi T&T, the predecessor of Hanoi FC. He led the capital team to win the V.League twice and the National Super Cup, while also helping build the foundation for the club's distinctive playing style. Later, when he moved to Quang Ninh, he continued to achieve success with domestic titles, affirming his capability as a top-tier manager.

In the final years of his career, Coach Phan Thanh Hung frequently returned to work for his hometown team Da Nang. Midway through the 2025/26 season, he left his role as technical director due to health reasons. Last June, Da Nang Club also held a tribute ceremony to recognize his contributions. From player, assistant coach to national team head coach, Phan Thanh Hung dedicated most of his life to Vietnamese football and will always be remembered for his dedication, calm demeanor, and enduring contributions to many generations of players.