Another V-League team changes head coach mid-season

Right before the V-League resumed, Ho Chi Minh City FC surprised everyone by making an important change in their coaching team, opening up new hopes for the road ahead.

At the moment when the 2025/26 V-League season restarts after the break, Ho Chi Minh City FC attracted attention by replacing their head coach. The club, known as “Bác,” appointed a Japanese expert to lead the team in the next phase of the season, signaling new strategic plans on the technical front.

According to confirmed information, Coach Đặng Trần Chỉnh will step down from the head coach position to return as Technical Director. In his place, Mr. Ueno Nobuhiro – a Japanese specialist – has been registered as the new head coach of Ho Chi Minh City FC. This adjustment was made by the club’s management just before the league’s restart, surprising many.

Notably, this is the second time this season that Ho Chi Minh City FC has changed their “hot seat.” Previously, Đặng Trần Chỉnh was appointed head coach from round 6 to replace Nguyễn Anh Đức. These frequent coaching changes indicate the club’s search for a more stable and effective direction in the V-League competition.

What makes this decision controversial is that Ho Chi Minh City FC’s performance under Coach Đặng Trần Chỉnh was not poor. In 6 matches directly managed by him, the team earned 2 wins, 2 draws, and only 2 losses. The playing style generally improved enough to keep the club in a safe position on the standings.

The new head coach, Ueno Nobuhiro, aged 60, is a familiar figure in Asian football. He coached Japan’s U20 team in 2004 and had a professional playing career with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. His experience spans youth training to coaching in professional football environments.

In Vietnam, Ueno Nobuhiro worked at Binh Phuoc FC in 2024 before joining Ho Chi Minh City FC’s coaching staff as an assistant in 2025. His first official match leading Ho Chi Minh City FC will be an away game at Ha Tinh on January 30, 2026, marking the V-League’s return and a new chapter for the Saigon club.