The Laos national team appoints a European coach to replace Mr. Ha Hyeok Jun

The Laos Football Federation recently named Coach Vladica Gurjic as the new head coach for both the senior national team and the U23 team, taking over from Mr. Ha Hyeok Jun.

On February 20, 2026, the Laos Football Federation officially announced the appointment of Mr. Vladica Grujic as the head coach of the national team, also overseeing the Laos U23 team. The Serbian coach is expected to help Laos football improve its performance in the upcoming period.

Born in 1970, the coach is a former professional midfielder who played from 1992 to 2005 before moving into coaching. He holds a UEFA Pro License and has experience working in various football systems including Austria, Japan, Spain, Thailand, India, and Serbia.

Notably, Grujic is not new to Laos football as he served as an assistant coach for the national team during 2010–2011. Returning now, he will replace the previous coaching staff in an effort to rebuild the team and help Laos football continue to develop.

Coach Grujic’s immediate task is to prepare the Laos national team for their match against Nepal in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, scheduled for March 31, 2026, at the Laos National Stadium.

Additionally, he will lead the team in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, which will take place from July 24 to August 26, 2026. In the group stage, Laos is placed in Group B, facing Thailand (July 25, home), Malaysia (July 28, away), the Philippines (August 1, home), and Myanmar (August 4, away).

Besides his coaching duties with the national team, Coach Grujic is also tasked with supporting the development of the national youth player system. He will collaborate with the football science and development department to establish a long-term training program focusing on technical skills, physical fitness, and mental preparation for upcoming generations of players.