When the Leader Is Absent: Kim Sang Sik, Personal Grief, and the Test for Vietnamese Football

In football, there are moments when a person's presence cannot be measured by tactics or formations. It lies in the eyes, the voice, the way a head coach stands on the touchline, silently watching every ball. And sometimes, that person's absence becomes a greater test than any match.

On August 20, 2026, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) issued a brief announcement: National team head coach Kim Sang Sik has returned to South Korea to attend to the funeral of his father, who passed away at the age of 84 after a long illness. The news was short, understated, but enough to create a void in the preparations for the 2026 ASEAN Cup – a tournament Vietnam will begin on September 24 of the same year.

I received this news while sitting in my usual coffee shop in Da Nang, where I often follow transfer news and data analysis. Outside, it was raining, and a question arose in my mind: what happens to a team when their captain must temporarily leave his post for an unavoidable reason?

Context: A Golden Week Missed

Kim Sang Sik was appointed to lead the Vietnam national team in May 2026, after the VFF decided to terminate Philippe Troussier's contract. Over the past two years, he has worked tirelessly, guiding both the U23 and the senior national team to positive results in regional and continental competitions. He is regarded as a dedicated, disciplined coach capable of building a playing style based on physicality and organization.

Kim Sang Sik's father, Mr. Kim, was 84 years old and had been battling illness for a long time. According to the VFF, Kim Sang Sik had known about his father's condition for some time but tried to fulfill his duties with the team. When the sad news arrived, he immediately asked to return to South Korea. VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan sent his condolences and encouragement: "We hope coach Kim Sang Sik and his family can overcome this great loss."

According to plan, Kim Sang Sik will stay in South Korea for about a week to attend the funeral and comfort his family before returning to Vietnam. During that time, the Vietnam national team continues training under the guidance of the assistant coaches. However, information on who will directly lead the training sessions – whether an interim coach has been appointed – has not been announced by the VFF.

The 2026 ASEAN Cup (formerly the AFF Cup) will take place from September 24 to October 5, 2026. Vietnam is in Group A alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. This is a group considered not too difficult but certainly not easy, as Thailand remains the traditional rival and the number one contender for the title. Preparations for this tournament are entering the final stretch, and the head coach's absence at this time raises many questions regarding tactics and psychology.

The Tactical Gap: A Precious Week

In modern football, one week of training before a major tournament can equate to hundreds of hours of video analysis, dozens of tactical sessions, and countless set-piece drills. For a national team, the preparation window is already tight because players must return from their clubs. Every training day is precious. Kim Sang Sik's one-week absence means the team loses the person who directly conveys tactical ideas, makes final personnel decisions, and is ultimately responsible for all plans.

Based on my years of experience watching Vietnam's matches and preparation processes, I have observed that training sessions under Kim Sang Sik are typically very structured: warm-up, position-specific tactical drills, opposed practice, and finally set-piece situations. He often directly instructs small groups, demanding players execute to the centimeter. His absence could cause training to lose its sharpness and high discipline.

However, we must be objective: one week is not an excessively long time if the coaching staff is well-prepared. Kim Sang Sik's assistants, including both Korean and Vietnamese experts, are believed to understand his philosophy well. They can maintain basic physical and tactical drills. But the more important aspects are sudden tactical decisions, in-game adjustments, and the ability to inspire players – things that only the head coach can do best.

A major question arises: will the VFF appoint an interim coach during Kim Sang Sik's absence? If so, will it be a close assistant like Lee Young-jin or a Vietnamese assistant? Not announcing this information could create instability within the team and in public opinion. In football, ambiguity about leadership can lead to misunderstandings and reduce training efficiency.

Unwritten Contracts

"There are contracts signed on the pitch, and there are contracts signed in the dark." This saying of mine, distilled from years of investigation, is especially true in this case. The contract on the pitch is the official agreement between the VFF and Kim Sang Sik, with terms on salary, performance, and duration. The contract in the dark consists of implicit expectations, invisible pressures from fans, the media, and the VFF itself.

The VFF's swift and gracious response – sending condolences and facilitating Kim Sang Sik's return to South Korea – shows a commendable humanitarian side. In the past, there have been cases where foreign coaches faced difficulties when dealing with family matters. The VFF's proper handling this time can be seen as progress in professional football management.

But behind that kindness lies strategic calculation. The VFF understands that Kim Sang Sik is a valuable asset. He has built trust with players and fans. If the VFF pressured him to stay while his father passed away, their image would be severely damaged, and the relationship with the head coach would fracture. Conversely, by showing understanding, the VFF is strengthening Kim Sang Sik's loyalty and setting a good precedent for future foreign coaches.

However, the unwritten contract remains. Vietnamese fans, while very sympathetic to Kim Sang Sik's grief, still expect the team to perform well at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. If the team starts slowly or is eliminated early, the story of the head coach's absence could be dissected, and condolences will quickly be replaced by criticism. That is the harsh law of elite sports.

Risks of Prolonged Absence

Although the initial plan is for Kim Sang Sik to return after about a week, no one can guarantee that. Funerals and subsequent procedures can take longer than expected, especially with travel between South Korea and Vietnam. If the absence extends close to the tournament's opening day, the impact will be much greater.

One of the lesser-mentioned risks is administrative procedures. The head coach is typically the one who signs off on the tournament squad list, personnel changes, and documents submitted to the organizers. If Kim Sang Sik is not present to handle these procedures, the VFF could face legal and deadline issues. Although FIFA and AFF regulations allow delegation, changing the signatory can cause unnecessary delays.

Psychologically, players may be distracted by the coach's story. They are young men, many of whom see Kim Sang Sik as a father figure, a teacher. His loss could make them emotional and anxious. Conversely, if channeled correctly, it could become motivation to play for their coach. Football history has witnessed many cases of teams rising to the occasion after their coach experienced a personal tragedy.

Competitive Context and Vietnam's Position

At the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam is considered the second favorite after Thailand. Group A with Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan is seen as an acceptable draw. Thailand, with players based abroad and a strong domestic league, remains the number one power in Southeast Asian football. The Philippines has made some strides through naturalized players but is no longer as dangerous as a few years ago. Pakistan is the weakest team in the group but cannot be taken lightly.

In that context, the match against Thailand could decide the group winner. Kim Sang Sik is believed to have specific tactical plans for this opponent. His absence during preparation could affect the implementation of those plans. Assistants can maintain drills, but flexible in-game tactical adjustments are the head coach's forte.

It is worth noting that the 2026 ASEAN Cup takes place as world football becomes increasingly commercialized. The Club World Cup has expanded to 32 teams, and regional tournaments have become money-making opportunities for federations. The VFF is also under pressure to achieve results to attract sponsorship. In that context, every match matters, and the head coach's absence is an unwanted risk.

Human Element and Funeral Culture

"Memories do not disappear like money; memories haunt." This is what I always keep in mind when writing about events in sports life. Kim Sang Sik is not just a coach; he is also a son, a father, a husband. The death of his father is an irreplaceable loss. In Korean culture, funerals are an important ritual, usually lasting three days, and children must be present to mourn. Kim Sang Sik's return to South Korea is entirely reasonable and necessary.

At 84, Kim Sang Sik's father lived a long life. He had been battling illness for some time. This means Kim Sang Sik may have experienced "anticipatory grief" – a psychological state of knowing about an impending death. This may have helped him prepare mentally to some extent, but it does not diminish the pain when it actually arrives.

When he returns to Vietnam, Kim Sang Sik will face a dual task: continue processing personal emotions while leading the team in an important tournament. Can he detach emotionally to make sound decisions? That is a question no one can answer in advance. But history shows many coaches have overcome adversity to achieve success.

Contrarian View: Opportunity in Adversity

There is another perspective rarely mentioned: is Kim Sang Sik's absence actually a disadvantage? In a football system overly dependent on individuals, the leader's absence can be an opportunity for assistants and players to show their mettle. It forces the team to operate on its own, make its own decisions, and take responsibility. This can be a valuable lesson in self-reliance.

Moreover, the way the VFF handles this situation could enhance its reputation among foreign coaches. A federation that respects employees' personal lives will attract better experts. In the long run, this benefits Vietnamese football.

However, there is a downside: the head coach's absence could expose weaknesses in the coaching staff structure. If the assistants lack the capability to maintain training quality, or if there is internal conflict, the problem becomes more serious. The VFF needs to monitor closely to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Data Doesn't Lie

"I keep a notebook, and it doesn't record goals." In that notebook, I note signs, numbers, events not reported in the media. And in this case, the notable numbers are: Kim Sang Sik has led the Vietnam national team in 15 matches, with 9 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. His win rate is 60%, not a bad figure for a newly arrived foreign coach. But true success will be measured by results at the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Data also shows that in regional tournaments, Vietnam often starts slowly. In 2026, we drew the first match against Laos before exploding. In 2026, under Troussier, the team disappointed. Kim Sang Sik is expected to change that. But with his absence, can the team have a smooth start?

Another notable data point: in ASEAN Cup history, no team has won the title with the head coach absent during preparation. This is a historical challenge Vietnam must face.

A Test of the System

The story of Kim Sang Sik is not just a sports news item. It reflects the maturity of Vietnamese football in handling personal events. But it also raises the question of dependence on an individual. A sustainably developing football nation needs a system, not just a talented coach. When Kim Sang Sik returns, he will have extra motivation to contribute. But is Vietnamese football ready to no longer worry every time the leader is absent?

Broadly, this is an opportunity for the VFF to prove it has a proper contingency plan. Appointing a clear interim coach, maintaining regular communication with Kim Sang Sik, and ensuring administrative procedures are completed on time – all of this will demonstrate the professionalism of Vietnamese football.

In the context of the ongoing transfer window, with rumors of Vietnamese players moving abroad, the Kim Sang Sik story reminds us that football is not just a market. It is about people, relationships, and human values.

Takeaway

When Kim Sang Sik returns to Vietnam, he will carry the pain of losing his father, but also the responsibility for a team hungry for success. Can he turn pain into strength? Can the VFF turn his absence into a lesson in professionalism? And can Vietnamese fans be patient enough to wait for a new beginning?

Football is a game of emotions. And sometimes, the most difficult moments are the ones that define identity. Kim Sang Sik is in such a moment. And so is Vietnamese football.