Hanoi FC causes a stir by appointing former football star Harry Kewell as head coach

04/10/2025 11:44:00 GoalGuru

Hanoi Football Club has officially appointed Harry Kewell – former Liverpool star and UEFA Champions League winner – as the head coach of the capital’s team.

With rich European experience both as a player and coach, Harry Kewell is expected to bring a fresh perspective, helping to elevate Hanoi FC’s level in pursuing domestic achievements and ambitions to expand continentally.

Born in 1978, Harry Kewell is a familiar name to many Vietnamese football fans. At the national team level, the Australian football legend earned 56 caps, scored 17 goals, and took part in two World Cups (2006 and 2010). At club level, Kewell made his mark in the English Premier League with Leeds United and Liverpool, winning the 2004/2005 UEFA Champions League and the 2005/2006 FA Cup.

After retiring at age 36, Kewell began his coaching career in 2017, managing several English clubs including Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, and Barnet. In 2022, he joined Celtic’s coaching team in Scotland as assistant to Ange Postecoglou before becoming head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in early 2024. Under his guidance, the Japanese club finished as runners-up in the 2023/2024 AFC Champions League.

For more than twenty years, Hanoi FC has proven itself as one of Vietnam’s most decorated football clubs. Yet, the capital’s representative has always nurtured ambitions to grow and integrate internationally. The appointment of Harry Kewell is seen as a strong statement about the club’s long-term development strategy, opening a new era for the team.

Having a major figure who once shined in the Premier League and appeared in the World Cup accept the role of Hanoi FC’s head coach also proves the club’s attraction and ambition to rise. This is considered a foundation for Hanoi to build a modern identity and steadily affirm its position in continental competitions.

After three matches serving as interim coach, Yusuke Adachi will return to his role as Technical Director. The Japanese expert will continue to implement the plans set for the first team as well as the youth teams under the Hanoi Football Training Center.

The contract with Harry Kewell not only marks a turning point in personnel but also opens a new chapter for Hanoi FC: evolving from a symbol of Vietnamese football to a model of a professional club with regional influence.

Harry Kewell’s debut match with Hanoi FC will be against Ninh Binh FC in Round 7 of the 2025/26 V.League.

Previously, under interim head coach Adachi, Hanoi FC won two consecutive matches and rose to the upper half of the league standings.

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