Polking: 'Every coach in Southeast Asia wants to lead Vietnam'

Former Thailand national team coach Mano Polking did not rule out the possibility of replacing Philippe Troussier, as he believes Vietnam still has a strong squad.

"I have watched every match of Vietnam in the past time, and I believe that the team still has a strong squad of players," Polking told VnExpress on the evening of March 27. "The U23 Vietnam players are also good, and this is good for the future. But I will not comment on the work of a famous coach like Troussier, because of course he understands football well."

Coach Mano Polking leads the Thai team to meet Vietnam in the second leg of the AFF Cup final at Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani City, January 16, 2023. Photo: Lam Thoa — Coach Mano Polking leads the Thai team to meet Vietnam in the second leg of the AFF Cup final at Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani City, January 16, 2023. Photo: *Lam Thoa*

Polking, 48, born to German parents in Brazil, played as a winger for German, Greek and Cypriot clubs from 2001 to 2007. He began coaching Thailand U23 in 2012, and led clubs there until taking charge in Ho Chi Minh City in 2020-2021. Polking coached the Thai national team from 2021 to 2023, bringing the team two AFF Cup championships. He was fired in November 2023 and has been unemployed since then.

"I am currently looking for a new job and negotiating with a few clubs," Polking added. "But of course every coach in Southeast Asia wants to lead the Vietnamese national team. I am ready to work anywhere, but obviously working with a national team is the most prestigious position for any coach."

Coach Polking has an attacking football philosophy, focusing on ball control, with a system of four defenders in a 4-3-3 formation. This is different from the team under Park Hang-seo or Philippe Troussier with five defenders. When asked about his philosophy, Polking said: "I will need a lot of time working with the players to clearly define the plan. I will want the team to play offensively, taking risks. But everything depends on the opponent and the players I have at my disposal."

Polking's assistant, Luis Viegas, also wants to work for the Vietnamese team if selected. "We would be honored if we were chosen to lead the Vietnamese team," Viegas said. "If that happens, we will try our best to make Vietnamese fans happy."

If selected by VFF, Polking will become the first coach to lead the Thai and Vietnamese national teams - two teams with rich traditions in Southeast Asia. In addition to his achievements in the AFF Cup, he also helped Bangkok United finish second in the Thai League twice, and won a silver medal at the 32nd SEA Games.

Polking could become the first coach to win the AFF Cup three times in a row. When asked about this goal, he added: "I really enjoy this challenge, and it would be great if I could overcome it."

Currently, VFF is looking for a successor, after terminating the contract with coach Troussier on the evening of March 26, a few hours after Vietnam lost 0-3 to Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In an interview with VnExpress , VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu said that the criteria for selecting a new coach "especially culture, openness to learning and acceptance of differences".

Vietnam has almost lost hope in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, but still has a goal this year, which is the AFF Cup taking place from November. The task of leading the U23 team to the Asian Cup finals in April 2024 will likely be given to coach Hoang Anh Tuan.

Xuan Binh

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