Vietnam's opponent hires coach who used to be a bus driver, specializes in women's football

The Nepal Football Association (ANFA) signed a one-year contract with Australian coach Matt Ross on March 2. The 47-year-old coach will lead the Nepal national team - one of the three opponents in the same group with Vietnam - in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Mr. Ross was selected from a list of more than 400 candidates. The Nepal Football Association paid all of his salary and bonuses without any support from the state budget or corporate sponsors.

Matt Ross finished his playing career at the age of 13 and went on to become a referee. He returned to play and retired again after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Alongside his football career, Matt Ross also trained as a teacher and was awarded a teaching certificate. He even taught at a school in Australia on a full-time contract before leaving to return to football. While studying for his coaching certificate, Matt Ross worked as a school bus driver for another school.

A notable detail about coach Matt Ross is his experience working in football teams. In his 20-year coaching career, the Australian coach has mainly worked in women's football.

Coach Matt Ross worked for Eintracht Frankfurt's women's team in a number of roles. In the three years from 2023 to 2015, he rose through the ranks as analyst, youth coach, assistant coach and head coach of the Frankfurt women's team.

After success in Germany with 1 Champions League title, 1 German Cup (contributing as an analyst) and 1 Champions League semi-final (as head coach), Mr. Matt Ross moved to Sweden and then to the Korean women's team.

The 47-year-old coach has only worked in the men's team for one year, leading the youth team of Al Qadsiah (Saudi Arabia). Matt Ross's most recent job was in the UAE.

"I want to win the upcoming South Asian Championship and get as close as possible to the 2027 Asian Cup," the new head coach of the Nepal team said confidently.

This South Asian team will face the Vietnamese team in October in the third match of Group F, Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Xiao Ming

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/doi-thu-thue-hlv-tung-lam-tai-xe-xe-buyt-chuyen-bong-da-nu-dau-tuyen-viet-nam-ar929781.html