Receiving special news from VFF, Quang Hải faces a major turning point in his career?

Nguyễn Quang Hải is among the prominent attendees of the sole AFC/VFF A-License coaching course in 2026, which reflects VFF’s reforms in training to elevate the standard of Vietnamese football coaches.

The former striker Nguyễn Quang Hải (Hải "the Chicken") is one of the names attracting attention for taking part in the AFC/VFF A-License coaching course organized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). This is seen as a crucial milestone, opening doors for the young coach to approach greater challenges in his coaching career.

On the morning of July 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, VFF, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation (HFF), officially launched Phase 1 of the AFC/VFF A-License coaching course for 2026. The course runs from July 1 to 14, featuring 24 outstanding trainees selected after entrance tests held in both the northern and southern regions.

This year’s trainee list includes Hải "the Chicken" as a standout name alongside experienced figures such as Đoàn Thị Kim Chi and Châu Trí Cường. Participation in this course is considered a necessary step for coaches to enhance their professional expertise and meet the increasingly stringent demands of professional football coaching.

A special feature of this year’s course is that VFF conducts an entrance examination for the first time, replacing the previous selection-based process. Thirty-three candidates applied, but only 24 met all professional criteria to participate. This move demonstrates VFF’s determination to standardize the coaching workforce according to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) standards.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, VFF Technical Director Koshida Takeshi emphasized that the course’s goal goes beyond issuing certificates—it aims to train coaches with the capability to contribute to Vietnam’s football development in the future. He also expects trainees to fully seize the opportunity to gain knowledge, experience, and modern coaching thinking.

Another highlight of the course is the presence of former star player Lê Huỳnh Đức as an instructor. Under VFF’s direction, the former Vietnam national team striker will gradually become involved in domestic coach training, helping build a high-quality pool of local instructors.

For Hải "the Chicken", joining the AFC/VFF A-License course is not only about completing professional qualifications but could also become a career turning point. The AFC A-License is a key requirement for coaches to lead higher-level teams and gain exposure to advanced coaching methods from Asian football.

According to the plan, after finishing the first phase, trainees will complete a written report and practical tasks before entering the second phase. With strong reforms in training and the participation of many promising coaches, VFF expects this year’s course to lay a solid foundation for Vietnam’s football development in the coming years, while opening opportunities for coaches like Hải "the Chicken" to reach new milestones in their professional coaching journey.