Portuguese Coach Officially Joins a Major Club in Vietnam

Portuguese coach Mauro Jeronimo has officially joined Thể Công Viettel, assuming the position of Head of the Youth Training Department.

Coach Mauro Jeronimo, a Portuguese strategist who previously led PVF-CAND Club, has made his unexpected return to Vietnamese football in a new role as Head of Youth Training at Thể Công Viettel.

The announcement came right after the match between Thể Công Viettel and SHB Đà Nẵng on the evening of October 20, when Mauro Jeronimo was seen in the stands at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. According to confirmation from the club, the coach born in 1987 has signed a long-term contract, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career in Vietnam.

The recruitment of Mauro Jeronimo by Thể Công Viettel is regarded as a strategic move in the club’s effort to restructure its youth training system — a field that has long been a source of pride for one of Vietnam’s most traditional football teams. With many years of experience at the PVF Center and PVF-CAND team, where he discovered and developed young talents like Thanh Nhàn, Hiểu Minh, and Xuân Bắc — key players in the U23 Vietnam squad — Coach Mauro Jeronimo is expected to bring fresh energy to Viettel’s youth training program.

The management of Thể Công Viettel believes that with his modern football philosophy and solid European academic background, Coach Mauro Jeronimo will help shape a clearer and more professional player development philosophy. He will not only plan long-term training strategies but also work directly with youth coaches to identify and nurture talents to succeed players like Văn Khang, Tuấn Tài, and Công Phương — homegrown products of Viettel.

Before officially joining Thể Công Viettel, Mauro Jeronimo was rumored to be a target for Hà Nội FC — a club famous for its attacking philosophy and modern passing style. The combination of an experienced coach familiar with Vietnamese football and one of the country’s strongest youth training systems promises to create a major breakthrough for Vietnamese youth football in the coming years.

Notably, in July this year, Mauro Jeronimo participated in the AFC Pro Coaching Course in Japan alongside many renowned domestic coaches, enhancing his qualifications and professional skills. With this foundation, his return to the prestigious Thể Công Viettel is considered one of the most remarkable signings in Vietnamese football in 2025.