Vietnam part ways with Philippe Troussier after heavy defeat against Indonesia

“We have just finished the meeting and both parties have agreed to terminate the contract,” said VFF secretary-general Duong Nghiep Khoi. VnExpress.

During this meeting, coach Troussier thanked the players, the clubs, VFF as well as the supporters and apologized for not having met expectations. In response, VFF also recognized Troussier’s efforts and contributions, wishing him and his family good health and happiness.

Coach Philippe Troussier during Vietnam’s 0-3 defeat against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 26, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Troussier signed a contract to coach the Vietnam U23 and football national team in March 2023, valid until July 31, 2026. He started well with three consecutive victories against Hong Kong (1-0), Syria (1 -0). and Palestine (2-0) in friendly matches

But after that, Vietnam suffered 10 defeats in the next 11 matches. Vietnam’s only victory in this disappointing series was against the Philippines in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

The biggest defeat of this period is the 0-6 defeat against South Korea. Under Troussier, Vietnam also lost to opponents it often beat under former coach Park Hang-seo, such as Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. The two most recent defeats, both to Indonesia, have left Vietnam with almost no chance of qualifying for the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, although they still have two matches remaining.

With only four wins in 14 matches, Troussier has the lowest win rate (28.57%) among foreign coaches who have led the Vietnam national football team.

When Troussier took over as head coach, Vietnam was 94th in the FIFA world rankings. After 13 matches, the team fell to 107th place, their lowest level in many years and could fall further after the disappointing defeat against Indonesia.

In May 2023, Troussier’s U23 team also lost 2-3 to Indonesia in the semi-final of SEA Games 32.

Troussier, 68, played as a defender for French clubs from 1976 to 1983. He became a coach immediately after retiring. Nicknamed the “White Wizard” for his successful stay in Africa, Troussier ruled Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa and Burkina Faso.

His international career peaked during his time in Japan (1998-2002) when he won the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.

Two years later, he led Japan to the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup, the country’s best-ever run in this competition. In 2020, the Asian Football Confederation named him one of the greatest coaches in the history of the Asian Cup.

Troussier served as strategic advisor and then technical director of the Vietnamese Football Talent Promotion Fund (PVF) Academy in 2018. A year later, he was named head coach of the Vietnamese U19 team, which he helped qualify for the 2020 AFC U19 Championship, which was canceled due to Covid-19. He left after his contract with VFF expired in June 2021.