Known for his success in Vietnam, Park Hang-seo will be leading the Indian national football team, leveraging his expertise in nurturing young talent and achieving remarkable success across the region and continent.
Hanoi, Vietnam – 22/05/2022: Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo is seen during the Sea Games 2022 match between Thailand and Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium. Final score: Thailand 0:1 Vietnam. (Photo by Amphol Thongmueangluang/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
NEW DELHI: Legendary South Korean coach Park Hang-seo has submitted his application to the Football Federation of India to become the next head coach of the Indian national football team. India had a bitter feud with Igor Stimač after the Croatian was sacked following a disappointing World Cup qualifier. Following his resignation, the Football Federation of India invited applications from coaches across the world and Park Hang-seo's interest in the top job is a notable development in this saga.
Vietnam reveres the South Korean player as a god-like figure for revolutionizing the country's football culture and structure. Park's application is one of 214 received by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with more expected before the July 3 deadline.By the deadline, we had not seen any applications.“The AIFF officials Times of India.
According to TOI, the AIFF is in talks to appoint Park Hang-seo as head coach, and Indian football fans might be wondering why the Korean coach is revered as a god by Vietnamese fans.
Park Hang-seo: “Can India become Uncle Park's new Vietnam?”
South Korean tactician Park Hang-seo has achieved legendary status in the Southeast Asian nation by cultivating a “golden generation” of outstanding talent at both regional and continental levels and taking Vietnam to unprecedented heights in world football.
Heading into the 2018 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in China, expectations were swirling around the incredible transformation underway in Vietnam, and under Coach Park's guidance, the young Golden Star Warriors exceeded expectations in their first major tournament appearance.
With stars like Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong and the country's most promising player, Nguyen Quang Hai, Vietnam advanced to the quarter-finals after coming out of a group that also included South Korea, Australia and Syria, with Quang Hai's decisive goal against Australia highlighting Vietnam's historic achievement.
His pragmatic approach led Vietnam to win their first Southeast Asian title in 62 years. A year later, he won the Southeast Asian Games title again, making for consecutive major international titles. Vietnam beat China 3-1 and drew with Asian football powerhouse Japan, almost qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Vietnam made it to the third round, but unfortunately lost. India has never qualified in recent years.
Like India, Vietnam struggled to keep up with their Asian neighbours in terms of physicality, tactics and approach. While weaker teams often tried to play cautious counter-attacking football against stronger teams, Park brought a more possession-based style of football to Vietnam. Since he took over as coach, his experience and ability to develop young talent has paid off in implementing an attacking approach against stronger teams, and he has led Vietnam to become a force to be reckoned with in Asian competition.
Vietnam Insider Park Hengseo “father” The Vietnamese team. The media reported:Every time a Vietnamese player scores or misses a goal, Park's emotional reactions and gestures on television touch not only his team but all the spectators. At times, he seems like an overly dedicated football father who comes to watch all of his son's games and sheds tears after every success or failure.“
“But he wouldn't have been as successful as he was with a doting father figure. At the 2002 World Cup, he learned how Guus Hiddink broke a toxic culture of prioritizing relationships over performance that prevented players from playing their best. Coach Park is a doting father who makes his players smile and unites them as a team, but he is also a fair and scientific leader who makes decisions based on facts and fairness, encourages effort recognition in training and sends clear messages.”
The football culture and environment in Asia is different to that in Europe and South America. “Parental figure” Status quo plays a big role in the Asian landscape. Indian players are no exception. It has been proven time and again that a caring, encouraging and playful leader brings out the best in Indian players. Take Antonio Habas' victories with Atletico de Kolkata and Mohun Bagan for example. This makes Park Hang-seo an interesting candidate for the Indian footballer.
AIFF: “His [Park Hang-seo] The interest in football in India is a good sign.”
by Times of IndiaThe AIFF highly values Park's background in the job and in an interview, an AIFF official said they were excited to receive the application from the Korean coach.
An AIFF source told The Times of India: “Park is a hero in Vietnam and his interest in Indian football is a good sign. He has not only managed the senior team but also the Under-23s, leading them to the Southeast Asian title. His record against much higher ranking nations is enviable and he has done all this with thrilling counter-attacking football.“.
How can Park Hang-seo change Indian football?
Indian football needs a renaissance if it is to realise its dream of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. Despite an experienced and well-known coach being hired, promises and poor facilities have made the situation worse. It said that a coach like Park Hang-seo could do great things in the Indian set-up. A pragmatic, strict and fatherly figure could produce a phenomenal team that doesn't rely on one person to make the difference. With Chhetri gone, a youth-friendly coach could do just the trick for the Tigers.