Coach Troussier: 'The goal of the 2026 World Cup is not out of reach'
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"I'm happy and proud to be here, leading the Vietnamese teams. After all, I'm back in the country that I cherished during my three years of working here. I fully understand the importance of it. The work is very important. I will give my all to overcome the challenge. I appreciate the trust and confidence of VFF, especially of President Tran Quoc Tuan", Mr. Troussier said in the press conference after the ceremony. signed a contract at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in My Dinh.
The contract between coach Troussier and VFF has a term of three and a half years, from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026. He will lead both the U23 team and the Vietnamese national team, with the goal of defending the SEA Games men's football gold medal in Cambodia in May 2023, winning the AFF Cup 2024. The French leader is also expected by VFF to help recruit him. Vietnam created a miracle in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, when FIFA increased the number of participants in the final round to 48 teams.
"To work towards my future goals, I don't start from scratch. My predecessor Park Hang-seo has left a legacy of a competitive squad. This legacy plus the experience I have now will make me feel better. is a good foundation for us to conquer the upcoming journey together," continued Coach Troussier.
According to the French military leader, the immediate international tournaments such as the SEA Games, the 2023 Asian Cup finals, the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers, and the AFF Cup will be an opportunity for Vietnamese teams to encounter many strong and accumulated opponents. gain more experience to aim for the highest goal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
"The 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 crimes is an opportunity for the Vietnamese team. This is the ultimate goal that we all aim for. Of course, it is an ambitious goal, but it is not out of reach. But I can't do it alone, but only as a guide, on an uneven road with many obstacles to come. This is the goal for the entire coaching staff, players and fans alike. I believe. If we are united and make the best effort, Vietnamese football will do it," coach Troussier expressed optimism. He also revealed that he only accepted with VFF when he knew that Vietnamese football had ambitions to attend the 2026 World Cup finals.
Under Coach Park in the 2018-2023 period, Vietnamese football has achieved many unprecedented achievements, such as winning the 2018 AFF Cup, winning the gold medal at the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games, finishing second in the Asian U23s, and reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. and go to stage 3 of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Troussier is aware that he must continue to help Vietnamese football improve on that successful foundation. He said: "When accepting the invitation to VFF, I also personally set a goal not only to strengthen the position of Vietnamese football that was achieved under the predecessor, but also to enhance this position on the world map. And I believe this is a feasible goal.My feelings when sitting here and signing a contract with VFF today are similar to my feelings when I took over as head coach of Japan, when surrounded by talented players. , tons of dedication and feelings of love for football just waiting to explode".
Mr. Troussier believes there will be moments of joy and sadness, but calls for unity and concentration of all resources to help Vietnamese football achieve a common goal during his working time. "I want to connect people through football, because this is a great motivational sport. I hope my words are fully conveyed to Vietnamese football fans so that everyone can understand the decision. This is a moment that I will forever keep in my heart, "emphasized the new head coach of the Vietnam national team.
Coach Troussier brought two foreign assistants, including fitness coach Cedric Roger and Moulay Azzeggouarh. In particular, Roger used to work at PVF Training Center, participated in many campaigns with Coach Park Hang-seo and Coach Mai Duc Chung. In the future, Troussier will add a foreign assistant, because he has to handle both the national team and U23.
Coach Troussier has sent VFF a list of suggestions for Vietnamese assistants. In the team there are former striker Nguyen Viet Thang, former midfielder Truong Dinh Luat and former goalkeeper Nguyen The Anh. In the U23 team are Ngo Tuan Vinh, Mai Xuan Hop, Ngo Viet Trung and Nguyen Thang Long.
Born in 1955, Troussier played as a defender for domestic clubs from 1976 to 1983. He moved to the army right after retiring, dubbed the "White Wizard" when he brought the African teams South Africa, Coast Ivory Sea or Nigeria to attend the World Cup. He also helped Japan U20 to win the U20 World Cup runner-up position in 1999, the Japanese team won the 2000 Asian Cup and then entered the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup.
Troussier has worked as Technical Director of PVF Football Training Center since March 2018. In the period of 2019-2021, he also led Vietnam U19, won tickets to the 2020 AFC U19 Championship, but because of Covid-19, this tournament was canceled. Troussier then still went to watch the V-League, First, Second, U21 and U19 national tournaments to build a new youth group to prepare for the Southeast Asian U18 tournament and the Asian U19 qualifier in 2021. In June 2021, his contract with PVF expired, so he ended his part-time job in Vietnam's youth teams.
