Coach Popov is very 'stubborn' with Thanh Hoa Club, but Mr. Polking is still struggling!

Coach Popov: Walking on the unique path

The 1-1 draw against Ha Tinh Club in round 10 of V-League 2024 - 2025 left coach Velizar Popov's Thanh Hoa Club under the hot pursuit of their opponent.

However, let's look at the big picture. In the context of having to play with high frequency from V-League to Southeast Asian tournament (15 matches since the beginning of the tournament, at least 3-4 matches more than other teams), what can Mr. Popov and his team do? Maintain the top position in V-League, still have the opportunity to continue in Southeast Asian championship, and have a streak of 13 unbeaten matches in all arenas.

Thanh Hoa Club is very "tough"

Thanh Hoa FC was able to do that when they had gone through a period without their main striker Rimario Gordon, the force had changed by more than half compared to last season and the pressure to succeed was obviously greater. It is not yet known where Thanh Hoa FC will go this season, when with a thin force, it is very difficult for coach Popov and his team to compete in the V-League. In fact, in the past 2 seasons, the Thanh team often played very "hot" in the first leg, but lost strength in the second leg. However, it must be admitted that coach Popov is very good.

He is not only talented in managing well with a limited transfer budget and player resources, but also can do what he says. A noisy strategist who likes to... complain about everything from the field, referees to the match schedule (no coach has received as many yellow cards as Mr. Popov in the past 2 years), but works wholeheartedly and fights with all his heart. As one of the few coaches in the V-League who has the respect of the players, on that foundation, the Bulgarian coach has helped Thanh Hoa Club "transform", becoming a team with the most unique, scientific and enthusiastic playing philosophy in the tournament.

On the unique path at Thanh Hoa Club, Coach Popov is not the type of person who wants to compromise. The former coach of Myanmar U.23 team forced Thanh Hoa team into a strict physical training framework, because for a team with more modest strength, to win, the only way is to compete harder and run more.

Coach Popov has a strong personality

The player who exudes the simple and honest fighting spirit of Thanh Hoa Club is Doan Ngoc Tan. After playing a "hard-fought" match with Thailand in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final with the Vietnamese team, Ngoc Tan only needed 2 more days off, then joined Thanh Hoa to draw with the strong Thai team BG Pathum with Chanathip Songkrasin in the squad. In the V-League, when teams are increasingly "saturated" in playing philosophy, or building success on a money foundation, having a team with its own color like Mr. Popov's Thanh Hoa is a precious thing.

What about Coach Polking?

Coach Polking has many things in common with Popov: having worked in the Thai League, bringing the breath of European football (Mr. Polking is German, while Popov is Bulgarian) to Southeast Asia, and having a proactive playing philosophy. While Coach Popov prefers pressing and direct, muscular play, Mr. Polking prefers to control the ball and regulate the tempo of play at the highest level of initiative possible.

Fate also brought both teams the most suitable to implement their playing style. Coach Popov had to manage Thanh Hoa team which "measured rice" every season, while Mr. Polking took charge of Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club) which had nothing but... stars.

Coach Polking is struggling

Quality national players, the best foreign players, and the best overseas Vietnamese. There are many ingredients for Coach Polking to mold a dedicated and beautiful attacking style of play, as he did with the Thai national team or Bangkok United in the past.

However, up to now, Mr. Polking's CAHN Club is still struggling to find a way. 6th place is not a problem because the season is still long. However, the draw with SLNA or a series of previous dull and disjointed matches have raised the question for the German-born coach: how much time is needed for his philosophy to take shape? Coach Polking asserts that he is trusted, but with a large investment in personnel, CAHN Club may not have to wait long.

Compared to Coach Popov, Mr. Polking's path to success is more favorable. However, to create an impression like his foreign colleague, the former coach of the Thai team still has to try hard!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-popov-rat-li-cung-clb-thanh-hoa-con-ong-polking-van-cu-loay-hoay-18525012016423448.htm