'Storm of Managerial Changes' Sweeps Through V-League

Having not yet completed two-thirds of the journey, the LPBank V-League 2025/26 has seen a relentless, unprecedented surge of managerial replacements, with tens of head coaches having to leave their posts amid the pressure for results. From the championship-chasing group to the fight for survival, no managerial position is genuinely secure within the severe "tempest" currently ravaging the whole competition.

Impatience was evident from the very beginning. Hanoi FC disappointingly parted ways with coach Makoto Teguramori after just three rounds. The six-time V-League champions invested heavily to reclaim their glory. Another Japanese coach, Mr. Adachi, also held the reins temporarily for a few rounds but was not a fit, leading the board to place their trust in coach Harry Kewell up to the present.

The reigning champions, Nam Dinh, also experienced major turbulence in the technical area. After two consecutive titles, the team from Nam city had a poor start to the season. Coach Vu Hong Viet was reassigned to the Technical Director role, ceding his seat first to his close friend Trung Kien and then to foreign coach Mauro Jeronimo.

However, Mauro lasted just over three months before being dismissed following a run of four winless matches. Ultimately, Nam Dinh returned to coach Vu Hong Viet. This cycle highlights the struggle between expectations and reality.

In the relegation battle, SLNA said goodbye to coach Phan Nhu Thuat after round 5 as the Nghe-based team languished at the bottom of the table. Becamex Binh Duong also bid an early farewell to coach Nguyen Anh Duc. The former legend could not turn the situation around, and the hot seat was quickly handed to the "old acquaintance" Dang Tran Chinh.

However, due to insufficient qualifications, coach Dang Tran Chinh was promoted to the Technical Director role as before, with Japanese coach Ueno Nobuhiro currently holding the head coach position at the club from the land of Thủ. Nevertheless, Technical Director Dang Tran Chinh still holds the greatest influence on technical matters.

At PVF CAND, coach Thach Bao Khanh left his post when the V-League newcomers failed to achieve desired results, making way for coach Nguyen Thanh Cong. The former Hong Linh Ha Tinh coach is expected to have a "lucky touch" in the survival fight.

In Thanh Hoa, coach Choi Won Kwon also departed in mid-November 2025 due to financial difficulties and restructuring, despite his professional impact not being entirely negative. Coach Mai Xuan Hop was given the opportunity as the Thanh-based club tightened its belt.

The latest peak is the story at Ninh Binh. Following three recent defeats, coach Gerard Albadalejo officially parted ways with the ancient capital's team. Ninh Binh once led the first half of the season, but a visible crisis emerged as they dropped to 3rd place, trailing league leaders CAHN by 8 points and having played one more match than this rival.

Notably, the trend of dismissing foreign coaches is happening faster than ever this season. Five foreign managers have already left their posts. With heavy investment, club owners no longer have the patience to wait for long-term building processes. Immediate results have become the number one criterion.

The V-League is entering a period of fierce competition, where the line between success and failure is measured round by round. In that environment, the head coach becomes the first "shield" to bear the pressure. With 12 rounds remaining in the season, the championship and relegation races are full of variables. More names may yet leave their positions.