Two consecutive losses put Ninh Binh coach's position in jeopardy.

Two consecutive losses and a penalty from VPF are pushing coach Gerard Albadalejo into a tough spot at Ninh Binh, with the derby against Nam Dinh potentially deciding his fate.

Pressure is mounting on coach Gerard Albadalejo. as Ninh Binh enters a critical phase of the 2025/26 V-League season. Two consecutive losses to CAHN and HAGL have not only left the team struggling in the championship race but also pushed the Spanish strategist's seat into a "red alert" status.

Not long ago, Ninh Binh was considered a remarkable phenomenon in Vietnamese football. Building on an impressive promotion from the First Division, the team made waves with high-profile signings like Hoang Duc, Van Lam, Duc Chien, and Geovane. This star-studded squad contributed to a 36-match unbeaten streak (in official 90-minute matches), helping Ninh Binh dominate the top of the table for most of the first half of the season.

However, top-level football does not tolerate complacency. Two consecutive stumbles have caused coach Gerard Albadalejo and his team to lose their advantage. Currently, Ninh Binh trails the league leader by 5 points and has played one more game, a major disadvantage as the title race heats up with each round. As performance declines, all eyes turn to the coaching staff.

Aware of the pressure, the Spanish coach has tightened discipline, demanding the team maintain high-intensity training even through the end of the year. However, challenges continue to mount as he will be unable to direct the team from the technical area in the crucial derby against Nam Dinh due to a VPF suspension. The absence of the "captain" on the sidelines for such a key match is clearly a significant setback.

Ironically, Ninh Binh's opponent—reigning champions Nam Dinh—has just parted ways with coach Mauro Jeronimo due to poor results. That decisive move serves as a clear warning: at ambitious clubs, results are the only measure. This makes coach Gerard's future more precarious than ever.

The upcoming derby is therefore not just a battle for 3 points. It is also a test of the Ninh Binh stars' resilience and coach Gerard Albadalejo's managerial ability. If he cannot steer the team back to winning ways soon, a mid-season coaching change could become a reality—a scenario the team's fans certainly do not want to see.