The bottom-ranked V-League team unexpectedly reverses course with a Vietnamese national team legend.

SHB Da Nang unexpectedly "makes a U-turn" with coach Tran Minh Chiến at the last moment, when the players unanimously asked to retain coach Le Duc Tuấn to guarantee stability ahead of an important game.

The completely unexpected reversal decision of SHB Da Nang regarding coach Tran Minh Chiến not only surprised experts but also revealed notable internal turmoil within the Han River club. When everything seemed settled with Mr. Chiến poised to take the "hot seat," the last-minute developments took a completely different turn.

On the afternoon of April 16, SHB Da Nang announced a new management structure with significant changes, including the appointment of Nguyen Huy Tai as Club President and Japanese expert Adachi as Technical Director. Notably, former star player Van Sy Hung also joined the management board. However, the focus was not on the personnel structure but rather on retaining the current head coach.

One day earlier, Coach Tran Minh Chiến had arrived in Da Nang, completing preparations to take over the team. He even worked with Phan Nhu Thuật to develop professional plans, ready to begin his duties amid the team's performance pressure. All indications suggested this deal was nearly finalized.

However, the turning point came from the locker room itself. Many SHB Da Nang players reportedly collectively expressed their wish to keep Le Duc Tuấn at least until the match against Nam Định in round 19 of V.League 2025/26. The reason given was a short-term strategic one: ensuring psychological and tactical stability during a sensitive period, as the team faces points pressure and relegation risk.

Faced with this proposal, the club's leadership had to reconsider. Amid recent top-level changes, further disruption of the coaching staff could create negative effects. The decision to retain coach Le Duc Tuấn was thus seen as a "safe" solution, even though it meant breaking the previously agreed plan with the new coach.

Nevertheless, the cost was significant. Coach Tran Minh Chiến refused to wait further due to professional honor, closing the opportunity to lead SHB Da Nang just before starting. This decision not only deprived the team of a crucial personnel option but also raised questions about the consistency of management strategy—a key factor for a club in crisis.