Coach Kim Sang Sik Returns to South Korea: A One-Week Gap and the Preparation Question

An empty press conference room. No official statements about training plans — just a brief announcement from the Vietnam Football Federation: head coach Kim Sang Sik has departed for South Korea. Reason: his father passed away at age 84, after a prolonged battle with illness. Since taking charge of the Vietnam National Team in May 2026, this is the first time he has faced a real gap in his work — not due to tactical failure, not due to pressure from results, but for a reason no one has the right to question. The VFF stated that Kim is expected to spend about a week observing traditional funeral rites in South Korea before returning to Vietnam. During this time, the team will be overseen by assistant coaches. The question is not whether Kim will return — he will — but what impact this one-week gap during final preparations for the AFF Cup 2026 will leave on the pitch. From May 2026 to now, Kim Sang Sik has built a significant working system. He simultaneously coached both Vietnam's U23 and senior national teams, leading both to impressive results in regional and continental competitions. This is not a coach sitting on the bench waiting; this is someone who has poured nearly all his energy into work, with almost no breaks. That is why the announcement of his temporary departure drew special attention in Vietnamese football circles. Not anxiety, but empathy — along with a silent question: can the team maintain its preparation rhythm without its main driver? The AFF Cup 2026 is scheduled to run from September 24 to October 5, 2026. Vietnam has been drawn in Group A alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan — a group that, according to experts, is well within reach for Kim's squad. Thailand is the main rival for top spot, while the Philippines and Pakistan are considered weaker opponents. With this draw, if things go smoothly, Vietnam can realistically target a semi-final berth. But football doesn't operate on theory. A one-week gap during the final preparation phase is something any coach must weigh. Based on my experience covering international matches, the final pre-tournament training phase is when coaches complete the smallest details: set-piece tactical drills, opponent video analysis, starting lineup adjustments, and most importantly, communicating playing philosophy to each player. When a coach is absent during this period, those small details risk being overlooked or inadequately handled. However, the story isn't that simple. There's a counter-perspective few people consider: there's still more than a week of training after Kim returns before September 24 — approximately 10 days of direct coaching before the first match. In international football, this isn't an overly short timeframe. National teams typically for 10-14 days before tournaments, and 10 days is still enough to complete necessary work if the assistant staff operates effectively. Moreover, many players in the Vietnam squad have worked with Kim since May 2026, meaning they're already familiar with his methods and philosophy. Tactical continuity isn't completely disrupted by one week of absence. Another factor to consider is the cultural context. In Korean culture, traditional funerals typically last 3-5 days, but ceremonies and preparation time can extend to a week. The VFF actively encouraging Kim to return home, rather than demanding he stay, demonstrates maturity in the federation's operations — something many sports organizations could learn from. This isn't a sign of weakness in management, but an expression of a working environment where people are valued above results. The question is: will this respect be reciprocated with heightened focus when Kim returns? There's one detail many overlook. Kim's father was 84 years old and had been ill for a long time. This means, to some extent, Kim may have already gone through anticipatory grief — a process psychologists describe as psychologically adapting to loss before it actually occurs. If this is true, the emotional shock of learning of his father's death may not be as intense as in cases of sudden loss. This isn't minimizing the pain, but a realistic psychological assessment that experts often overlook when discussing athletes and coaches. Sitting in press conference rooms over the years, I've learned one lesson: never judge absence solely through the lens of results. A coach absent for family reasons isn't a tactical gap — it's a human being facing a reality everyone must face. What matters is how the team reacts during that time, and how the coach returns to work. Kim will return. Vietnam will compete at AFF Cup 2026. And perhaps, precisely in this one-week gap, we can see more clearly: continuous presence on the training ground isn't always more important than trust in what's been built. A football philosophy isn't broken by a week of mourning. It's only broken when no one believes in it anymore.