European Coach Comments on the Situation of Thanh Hóa Club

After leading Viettel to a 1-0 victory over Nam Định in the postponed round 10 of the 2025/26 V.League, Coach Velizar Popov surprisingly expressed warm feelings regarding his old club Thanh Hóa.

A narrow 1-0 win against Nam Định in the rescheduled round 10 of the 2025/26 V.League not only helped Thể Công Viettel strengthen their position among the leaders but also featured notable remarks from Coach Velizar Popov concerning his former team Đông Á Thanh Hóa.

The Bulgarian coach openly showed his deep respect for the Thanh Hóa team where he spent over two years and left a significant mark. “If I had a private meeting with Thanh Hóa Club, I would share many things. But right now, I am the coach of Thể Công Viettel,”Popov stated. His brief comment clearly demonstrated his professionalism and respect for his current team while still preserving his affection for the past.

Under Popov’s leadership, Thanh Hóa experienced one of the most glorious periods in their history with two National Cup titles in 2023 and 2023/24 plus the 2023 National Super Cup. However, this season, the Thanh Hóa team faces numerous challenges. The squad is severely depleted with only 16 players eligible to register, many key players have left, some are dealing with health issues, and the club is also under a transfer ban. Despite this, Thanh Hóa managed to earn 4 points in their last 3 matches, showing commendable fighting spirit.

On the other hand, Viettel is accelerating strongly. The three points against Nam Định bring the soldier team to 25 points, firmly in the Top 3, just two points behind second-place Ninh Bình, and four points ahead of Hanoi FC in fourth.

Amid the fierce championship race, Popov’s measured comments show he always respects his past, but his ultimate goal now remains to lead Viettel further in their quest this season.