Vietnamese Football After the Troussier Era: The Tactical Puzzle for Coach Kim Sang-sik

When the final whistle of the friendly match against Iraq echoed through My Dinh Stadium on the evening of March 26, 2026, many fans felt an indescribable unease. The Vietnamese national team had just endured 90 minutes where the familiar short passes under Philippe Troussier gradually gave way to aimless long balls. The 43% possession rate - the team's lowest in three years - clearly reflected the tactical confusion of a collective standing at a crossroads.

This transition context did not come as a surprise. After the failure at the 2026 Asian Cup with three consecutive losses, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) quickly parted ways with the French strategist and appointed Coach Kim Sang-sik - who once led Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to two K-League titles. This change raises a big question: Can a coach accustomed to K-League's possession-based style help Vietnam rediscover the identity built under Park Hang-seo?

Looking back at the Troussier era, it is clear that the philosophy of high pressing and short ball circulation was applied rigidly. However, data from 12 official matches reveals a harsh reality: the successful pass rate in the opponent's final third was only 68%, significantly lower than the 74% during the Park Hang-seo period. This shows that Vietnamese players, accustomed to defensive counter-attacking, have not truly adapted to the demands of ball control in dangerous areas.

Coach Kim Sang-sik faces a difficult puzzle: how to reconcile modern possession-based philosophy with the reality of available personnel? In his introductory press conference on May 3, 2026, he emphasized: "I did not come to erase what exists. I came to perfect it." This statement suggests a flexible approach, unlike the rigidity of his predecessor.

The key lies in building a proactive defensive system where players are allowed to flexibly transition between mid-block pressing and fast counter-attacks. Evidence from Jeonbuk's matches under Kim Sang-sik shows he is not a purely possession-oriented coach. In the 2026 K-League, his team averaged only 51% possession but led the league in goals from counter-attacks (9 goals). This indicates he understands the value of tactical flexibility.

However, there is a counter-intuitive perspective rarely mentioned: Vietnam's problem is not the tactical system itself, but the players' ability to read the game. In the match against Iraq, Kim Sang-sik's students showed significant improvement in physical condition - average distance covered reached 112 km, 4 km higher than the Asian Cup average. But they lacked intelligence in choosing pressing moments. There were times when the whole team pushed high to apply pressure, but left vast spaces in the central corridor - where Iraq successfully exploited for the match's only goal.

Based on my experience following matches, I notice a bright spot: the maturity of the 2026-2026 generation. Names like Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac, or Khue Van Khang have shown rapid adaptation to new tactical demands. In the Iraq match, Thai Son had 3 chance-creating passes - the most in the team - and completed 5 successful tackles. These are positive signals showing the next generation can meet the demands of a demanding coach like Kim Sang-sik.

But the biggest question remains: does the Korean coach have enough time to rebuild the system? The 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers will begin in September 2026, and the 2026 AFF Cup takes place at year-end. With only about 6 months of preparation, Kim Sang-sik must make quick decisions. He does not have the luxury of experimentation that Troussier had in the early stages of his tenure.

Another notable point is the difference in football culture. The K-League is known for absolute discipline and tactical adherence, while Vietnamese football values improvisation and fighting spirit. Kim Sang-sik needs to find a balance between these two elements. In recent training sessions, he has required players to memorize 5 basic tactical principles before being allowed to be creative. This approach could help create a solid foundation without stifling individual development.

Looking ahead, I believe Kim Sang-sik's success will depend on three main factors. First, the ability to build a solid defense - something Troussier neglected. Second, finding the most effective formula for using Nguyen Hoang Duc - considered the heart of the team. And third, patience from fans - those accustomed to success under Park Hang-seo and finding it hard to accept a transition period.

There is a truth we must face: Vietnamese football is in a transitional phase. The successes at SEA Games 31 and the 2026 Asian Cup created a golden generation, but that generation is gradually passing its peak. Building a new generation cannot be completed overnight. Kim Sang-sik needs time, and fans need patience.

I still remember the words of a veteran fan at My Dinh during the Iraq match: "We have lost more than this before. But we have never lost faith." That is the spirit Vietnamese football needs in this difficult period. And I believe that with tactical clarity and philosophical persistence, Kim Sang-sik can guide the team through the storm.

The final question is not whether he will succeed, but whether we - the fans, the journalists, the managers - have enough patience to accompany him on the long road ahead. Because in football, as in life, no success comes without experiencing failures. And it is those failures that will forge the character of a new generation.