VietNamNet Bridge – Despite a decent offer the Viet Nam Football Federation have laid on the table for a local coach willing to take over the national football team, it appears like there will be a foreign coach after all.

No thanks: Phan Thanh Hung of Ha Noi T&T is expected to take coach the national U-23 team coach. (Photo: VNS)

The vacancy has arisen after Portuguese Henrique Calisto unexpectedly quit earlier this month.

Hy said hiring a foreign coach with an understanding of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian football and willing to accept a reasonable salary is not easy.

The VFF has received more than 20 applications from coaches all over the world and short-listed five for negotiations.

There was media speculation about the willingness and capability of some local candidates like Phan Thanh Hung of Ha Noi T&T, Le Huynh Duc of SHB Da Nang, and Mai Duc Chung of Navibank Sai Gon.

But they have all said they are not yet ready to take on such a big challenge.

Hung, head coach of Ha Noi T&T, told Viet Nam News: "I have no intention to be in charge of national team because with my ability and experience I think I am suitable for the Olympic team.

"I will lead the Olympic team if the Federation wants but it also depends on Ha Noi T&T because I am still contracted to the club."

Last year he was interim coach of the Olympic team and achieved good results, including the title at an international football competition in HCM City and a first ever quarter-final entry at the Asian Games.

Chung, who also has experience of working with the national and Olympic teams, said that he is busy at the club and cannot take the national job though he felt local coaches possess many advantages over a foreigner.

Duc, also with experience coaching at the highest level, has been quoted in the media as saying he cannot coach either the Olympic or national team.

Hung and Duc have been the public favourites.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News