How will Hà Nội FC play under their new head coach Harry Kewell?

Kewell’s coaching style, focusing on creative thinking and intense pressing, promises to deliver a modern and fast style of play for Hà Nội FC. Yet, the former Australian star will undoubtedly encounter many challenges.

What is the essence of Harry Kewell’s coaching approach?

Kewell’s coaching philosophy is not about rigid formulas but a blend of his distinguished playing career and coaching setbacks. Born in 1978, he appeared in over 500 club matches, earned 56 caps for Australia, played in two World Cups, and won the Champions League — experiences that shaped him into a master of creativity and adaptability. He adopted high pressing from Rafa Benítez at Liverpool, attacking pressing from fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, and Asian tactical flexibility from Galatasaray and Yokohama. Particularly, Kewell admires Frank Rijkaard for his “open mindset, always staying a few steps ahead of opponents,” which helped him develop a style focused on “training players to think and be ready to adapt to any situation.”

Kewell likens football to chess: “A good player never repeats the same move to avoid being predictable.” He favors a fast attacking style without fixed formations, encouraging players to express themselves freely — not as “robots” following mechanical orders.