VietNamNet Bridge – Coach Falko Goetz met with officials of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on January 5 to put an end to their contract.


Goetz leaves VFF headquarters on January 5.

The German coach accepted a premature termination of his 3-year employment contract with VFF. The meeting closed after over one hour. Goetz left VFF’s headquarters and refused to talk with the media.

Previously, the coach told a local newspaper that he would not return to Vietnam but send his assistant to Hanoi to solve the remaining issues with VFF.  The coach will stay in Vietnam five days and will return to Germany on January 9.

After U23 Vietnam’s failure at the Southeast Asian Games 2011, VFF promised to give Goetz another chance but just a few days later, the federation announced to fire him. VFF’s poor behavior has been criticized by the public. However, the coach showed his goodwill when he accepted compensation of $60,000, equivalent to three months of salary.

At the press conference on January 6, the coach said that it’s difficult to respect VFF’s decision.

He refused to mention in details at the conference, except admitting that, “I am surprised to come back to Hanoi after my holiday in Germany to settle to end the contract.”



The coach watches the match between Hanoi T&T and Binh Duong at Hanoi's
Hang Day Stadium on the afternoon of January 8.

“I’m the only official to take full responsibility of the loss of the national team at the SEA Games” (that Vietnam finished at fourth place).

“My players had made efforts in training and tried their best during competition. They had not made me feel disappointed,” he added.

“I want to thank fans and players, and those who supported me here and wished success to Vietnamese football,” Goetz said.

After VFF vice chairman Pham Ngoc Vien replied him with best wishes, coach Goetz stood up and immediately left the meeting without any more words.

Tuoi Tre/VNE/VNN