LookAtVietnam – Four months after taking charge as head coach of the First Division club Ninh Binh, Nguyen Van Sy’s team have won a berth in the national premier league next season.

Coach Nguyen Van Sy. (Photo: VnMedia)

Sy spoke about his coaching philosophy.

You cried on that day. Was it because of your team’s success?

My happy tears were for me and my team – both of us have experienced many ups and downs.

As everyone knows, Ninh Binh bosses have spent a lot of money to win a place in the V-League. It took three long years before that goal was achieved.

Meanwhile, I myself had a hard time with Nam Dinh before moving here. Now I have my humble success.

I was thinking a lot about Ninh Binh’s chairman, Hoang Manh Truong, when we won.

Ninh Binh have signed many local and foreign players. Were there any particular challenges you faced when joining the club?

I don’t think so. When I came here, everything was under control.

The team was focused on victory.

I used to be a player, so I could understand them very well. I listened to their opinions.

Sometimes, they didn’t play well. Generally it was because of injuries or family problems. It is difficult for a coach to earn a player’s trust. It is a hard job but if you love your job you can cope.

You established your reputation when you worked as an acting manager in the last rounds of last season. You replaced Doan Minh Xuong. Xuong failed and you became the first choice. Was it difficult being a substitute?

I have never been discouraged or ever felt like giving up. I have always been told that I am too young [Sy is 39] and that I have a lot to learn. When I signed with Ninh Binh I never thought I would be head coach.

I have learned a lot of interesting things from my predecessors’ successes and failures.

What have you done since taking charge at Ninh Binh?

It was particularly hard in the first days. Honestly, I thought the task ahead of me was impossible.

I had to improve the team’s spirit if we were to win matches.

When we got a chance, I took the players to train in Vung Tau city and at Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province.

After that we began to win matches.

You played for Nam Dinh before coaching Ninh Binh. Were you thought of as a traitor?

It was a good decision. I am self-reliant and always want to prove myself. In Nam Dinh I couldn’t do what I wanted so I left. But that is normal in professional football. It has been two years already and I think that people now understand my reasons.

I do not regret my decision. I would leave again if the situation arose.

Ninh Binh have signed a number of Nam Dinh players. Are you criticised for that?

Some people say that I’m poaching players from my native province. I am grateful to Nam Dinh, it has given me many things.

I would never betray my former club. It is nothing special when players sign contracts with other teams. Nam Dinh players who come to Ninh Binh do so because they want to. It is in their best interests.

I just do my job, which is to recruit qualified players. But I always give priority to local players.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News