LookAtVietnam – The chief coach of the national squad Henrique Calisto has helped the T&T Hanoi club to recruit a new coach, Nicolau Vaqueiro, his fellow-countryman.

Coach Henrique Calisto

Calisto’s contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will expire on March 31, 2010. The coach and his team could not win the gold medal at the recent SEA Games as was the VFF’s expectation but the federation still offered him a new contract. Before the VFF gave the offer, Calisto had reached an oral agreement to work for T&T Hanoi after his contract with the VFF expires.

The both sides wanted to have Calisto and a solution was set. Calisto would work for both T&T Hanoi and the national squad. He confirmed he was able to work two jobs because the national squad often convenes for several months a year. All related sides approved this solution before the SEA Games. Nevertheless, an official agreement is not signed yet. It is possible that they would resume negotiation after the qualifier round of the Asian Cup 2011 (Vietnam will play the last game on January 17 2010 against China).

Busy with the national team, Calisto was still interested in T&T Hanoi. Before going to Laos for the SEA Games, he recommended a Portuguese coach Nicolau Vaqueiro to T&T Hanoi.

Vaqueiro, 59, is a Calisto’s close friend and a former colleague. This coach has conducted some small clubs in Portugal. Vaqueiro and T&T Hanoi signed a contract in early December. The new coach is praised by Vietnamese players to have a good training method. Under his leadership, the team has had three friendly matches against Quang Ninh Coal (2-1), Nam Dinh (1-2) and the national squad (1-1).

If Calisto, VFF and T&T Hanoi reach an agreement, Vequeiro will be Calisto’s assistant at T&T Hanoi and the chief coach of the team when Calisto is busy with the national squad.

PV