You won the AFF Cup with the Vietnam national team, just one year after leaving Jeonbuk Club in great pain. What do you say about this?

- I have regained my honor after hitting rock bottom. There was a time when I helped Jeonbuk reach the top but then something happened. In my last season here, the club had many injuries and started to change generations. I don't want to blame the fans. It was my failure.

Coach Kim Sang Sik learns from coach Park Hang Seo's coaching style (Photo: Manh Quan).

What did he say when Jeonbuk fans booed and asked him to leave?

- I want to show the fans that I am still alive. When I won the Korean championship with Jeonbuk as a player and coach, people downplayed my achievement by saying that Jeonbuk was a strong team. So winning the Korean championship was as easy as eating candy. When the team lost, they immediately blamed the coach.

Are you under heavy pressure because of Coach Park Hang Seo's popularity in Vietnam?

- When Coach Park Hang Seo took charge, Vietnamese players had the desire to become big stars. But now, players of that generation have everything. They are stars, famous people. I have the responsibility to make these "nothing-lacking" stars play in my style. Fortunately, Coach Park told me a lot about each player.

In Vietnam, fans call him "Uncle Six". Now, he is loved no less than coach Park Hang Seo. What do you say about this?

- Coach Park is famous for his fatherly leadership style. Now, the players call me uncle (laughs). I am a coach who pursues the elder brother leadership style. I will clarify what I ask for in training, then let go of my authority and freely carry it out with the players.

How did you become friends with the players?

I wrote down the names and photos of 50 members of the national team on the blackboard, then practiced reading each name with the correct intonation. I wanted to pronounce the players' names correctly. I also memorized the Vietnamese National Anthem. I wanted the fans to understand that I was ready to integrate to develop Vietnamese football.

During the matches, how do you instruct the players?

- Communicating with the players in the stadium is not easy because of the loud noise. I often use hand gestures to let the players know when to press or when to change tactics.

Coach Kim Sang Sik admits that he is a strict teacher but sometimes he is lenient (Photo: Huong Duong).

Coach Park Hang Seo often forbids his players from using their phones while eating. Does he have a similar rule?

- I don't have any specific requirements. I still allow players to bring their phones into the dining room but encourage them to talk to each other. Or I also advise them to take off their earrings during training and matches to avoid injuries. I am strict at work but quite lenient in other things.

When the Vietnam team's performance improved, I saw players inviting their girlfriends and families to their accommodation. However, I forbade that and said: "When the whole team went to Korea for a three-week training session, I couldn't even have a meal with my family. We have to win so we can do more for our loved ones." When I'm angry, I'm very scary!

Is strict management the most important factor for players?

- Not like that. There was a player who didn't drink soft drinks because he wanted to stay in shape. When he ate pizza, he only drank milk. This seems reasonable, but I asked: "Why do you create pressure and obsession for yourself?". Players who make it difficult for themselves with rigid rules create stress and pressure. They are often the first to retire.

What quality do you value most in a player?

- The most important thing is dedication. I am impressed with Ngoc Tan because he always puts the team's interests above his own. When he loses the ball, he immediately chases after it and wins it back, then passes it to his teammates. The team needs stars, but it also needs people who silently contribute.

But are clubs always willing to spend a lot of money to recruit excellent players?

- Can a team with 11 Lionel Messis definitely win the championship? Some people say that players account for 99%, coaches only contribute 1%, but if any element is missing, 100% victory cannot be achieved. The important thing is harmony.

Coach Kim Sang Sik said that the physical strength of Vietnamese players is gradually improving (Photo: Huong Duong).

If you were to rate yourself, how many points would you give Kim Sang Sik as a player and Kim Sang Sik as a coach?

- I'm still taking the test, how can I grade myself (laughs). The most regrettable thing about my football career is not playing abroad. But I think I've given 100% of my strength to the domestic teams. As for my role as a coach, I'm only halfway there. Although there are many challenges, I'm still handling everything quite well.

Many people say physical strength is the weakness of Vietnamese players?

- Coach Park Hang Seo once asked his players to limit their intake of noodles and pho and eat more meat. Now, Vietnamese players eat just as much as their Korean counterparts. Their disadvantage is their limited height and having to play in hot weather conditions for a long time. To improve their physical strength, I requested a training trip to Korea in the winter.

There is a saying "a good start makes a good ending". You have had initial success in Vietnam, but are you worried?

- I came here with the thought that, no matter how long the contract is, the position of the national team's head coach always depends on results. To restore honor with a championship is already lucky.

Are you interested in coaching another national team?

- I have never thought about that. Coach Park Hang Seo once advised: "We are not born in this land, so we always need to maintain a humble attitude." I always try to keep myself, not arrogant in any situation. Vietnamese players often have Confucian ideology. They always listen to their teachers and rarely express dissatisfaction. This makes it easy for me to convey my philosophy.

What qualities do you require from your players?

- Be jealous but in a positive way. Whether it is friends or teammates, we need to compare and learn from their good points. Besides, I also require principles such as honesty, caring and solidarity with teammates. These are all things learned from fairy tales. Don't try to look for high philosophy. Just doing the basics is enough.

If the Vietnamese team faces the Korean team again, are you confident you can help the "Golden Dragons" win?

- We definitely won't lose by 6 goals like in 2023. Korea is a strong team but I also understand their strengths and weaknesses. At least we can aim for a draw.

Thank you for the conversation!

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hlv-kim-sang-sik-noi-that-long-ve-tuyen-viet-nam-tren-bao-han-quoc-20250403113439119.htm