The Chinese coach of the national women’s football squad, Chen Yun Fat, will receive US $3,300 a month, the highest salary paid by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for a coach of the women’s squad so far.

Chinese coach Chen Yun Fat.

Chen Yun Fat, a reputed coach in China, has trained the women’s squad since 2007. The team won the silver medal at the SEA Games 2007 though it lacked many key players.

In 2008, the team played impressively at the Asian Cup 2008. It lost 0-1 in the match against the current champion China, was beaten by North Korea, the champion of Asian Cup 2008, and defeated Thailand 1-0.

At the AFF Cup 2008, the team gained a victories over Thailand and Myanmar, the two strongest teams in Southeast Asia, and was defeated by Australia in the final match.

Based on these performances, the VFF offered a three year contract with Chen Yun Fat but the coach had to refuse because he is an official of the Dalian Football Federation (China), which seconded him to Vietnam. The coach, therefore, can sign a one-year contract with the VFF.

The coach’s current contract will end this March. The new contract was signed on February 10 in Hanoi.

Chen Yun Fat will train the women’s squad until March 2010, earning US $3,300 per month. The salary will be paid by the VFF (US $1,800) and the General Department of Sports and Physical Training (US $1,500).

The pay is the highest on record because the VFF paid two previous foreign coaches of the women’s squad US $2,000/month. Other Vietnamese coaches like Mai Duc Chung, Tran Ngoc Thai Tuan and Ngo Le Bang received VND 5 million (US $295) a month.

The Chinese coach’s mission this year is leading Vietnam to the Asian Cup 2010 finals and the championship of the 25^th SEA Games in Laos.

VietNamNet/VNE