VFF officials welcome coach Philippe Troussier and his assistant Moulay Lahsen Azzeggouarh Wallen at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on February 26.
He was welcomed at the airport by Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) General Secretary Duong Nghiep Khoi and Deputy General Secretary Nguyen Thanh Ha, as well as crowds of Vietnamese spectators.
Returning to Vietnam this time, Troussier was accompanied by his compatriot assistant Moulay Lahsen Azzeggouarh Wallen.
“I feel honoured and proud to take the helm of the Vietnam national team. I'm ready for a new mission,” said Troussier at the airport. He said Vietnam is a promising team, and managing such a team will make him feel motivated and excited.
Troussier had worked in Vietnam as a strategic adviser and then technical director at the Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talent (PVF) Academy between 2018 and 2021 before leading the Vietnam U19 team to qualify for the 2020 AFC U-19 Championship. Unfortunately, his plans became unfinished at that time due to the impact of the COVID outbreak.
He will sit in the hot seat to replace his predecessor Park Hang-seo whose contract expired in late January 2023. The Frenchman's contract with the Vietnam Football Federation initially lasts for three years, from March 2023 to July 31, 2026.
The first task of the new coach is to lead the U23 Vietnam at the coming the 32nd SEA Games due to take place in Cambodia in May.
Meanwhile, the national team will flex their muscle at the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD) to be held in Hangzhou (China) in September and the 2023 Asian Cup to be held in Doha (Qatar) in January 2024.
Troussier has also set the ambitious goal of taking Vietnam to the FIFA World Cup in 2026, when the global biggest men’s football tournament plans to increase the number of participating teams to 48 instead of 32 at present.
The French coach will make his debut at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnam Football Federation on February 27.

Dai Nam