VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese coaches said they were not surprised by coach Henrique Calisto’s decision but they didn’t agree with Calisto’s argument for his decision.

Coach Nguyen Van Vinh

Last March Calisto signed a 3-year contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). He received $24,000 a month, the highest wage for a coach of the national squad so far. Calisto’s mission was to help the national squad to defend its Southeast Asian championship and take the U23 team to the finals of SEA Games 2011. Vietnam failed to defend its AFF Cup 2010 championship. The remaining gold – taking the U23 squad to the final of SEA Games 2011 – is said to not to be very difficult.

However, Calisto has resigned. This is an unexpected decision because after AFF Cup 2010, despite criticism, the coach said he would not step down.

Local coaches said they were not surprised by Calisto’s decision.

Coach Tran Van Phuc, a former member of the National Coaching Council, said that this is very normal. “Calisto’s contribution to Vietnamese football is very clear. It is a little bit regrettable but we need to respect his decision. I’ve heard that he has quitted because he was criticized severely by the public. This reason is not very convincing because pressure from the public, the fans, the media and experts always accompanies the coaches”.

“Perhaps he is not interested in this environment anymore and he wants to go to Muang Thong club (Thailand) because it is more appropriate for him. Let’s see his resignation as an ordinary case and I wish him success in the future,” Phuc said.

Senior coach Nguyen Van Vinh said: “It is very normal for coaches or football players to change their teams. Even Mourinho who contributed greatly to Chelsea and Inter but he still left. Let’s see Calisto’s resignation as a simple decision. This is only the change of places of work. Fans, the media or colleagues can make comments or sometime criticize and it is called pressure, but coaches always face pressure. The pressure is the motive force to urge coaches to work better,” Vinh said.

Vinh also made commented on coach Calisto: “He has had a close attachment to Vietnamese football for over ten years. His leave will make many people sad. But once him being here is no longer suitable, farewell is inevitable. I wish him to continue with success!”

According to Tien Phong Newspaper, Calisto will join Muangthong United (Thailand) after leaving Vietnam.

Source: VNE/Tien Phong