Le Cong Vinh completes coaching internship in Japan: A step forward on the professional coaching path

Former top striker of Vietnamese football, Le Cong Vinh, has just completed a 10-day coaching internship at Hokuriku University (Japan) from September 6 to 15, 2026. This is a mandatory practical phase in the AFC A coaching license program – a crucial step toward the highest professional coaching certificate in Asia. The internship took place under the guidance of instructors from the Japan Football Association (JFA), with support from VFF Technical Director – Mr. Koshida Takeshi. According to VFF sources, Cong Vinh directly coached three sessions for Hokuriku University Team 1, focusing on three core tactical themes: attacking, defending, and counter-attacking. These are fundamental but essential content for a coach building his foundation. Notably, Hokuriku’s Team 1 recently reached the final of the All Japan University Football Championship, the highest level for student football in Japan. Being able to train in such a competitive environment gives Cong Vinh the opportunity to challenge himself against young players with good technical and physical foundations. According to his own statements to the press, choosing Japan over Vietnam for study was because he wanted to access modern coaching methods and a transparent, high-quality certification system. This is the second phase of Cong Vinh's AFC A license journey. Previously, Phase 1 – theoretical and practical training in Japan – took place in June this year. At the end of the internship, Cong Vinh must submit a coaching report in English or Japanese to JFA instructors. If approved, he will proceed to Phase 3 in December, before receiving the official certificate in April 2027. After that, Cong Vinh can apply for the AFC Pro license – a mandatory requirement to lead national teams or top professional clubs. This event marks not only a personal milestone for a 41-year-old former player, but also a testament to the close cooperation between VFF and JFA in coach education. It was Mr. Koshida Takeshi – who has many years of involvement with Vietnamese football – who connected Cong Vinh with Hokuriku University. Meanwhile, JFA President Mr. Miyamoto also sent an encouraging message to Cong Vinh, emphasizing that his efforts will help strengthen football relations between the two countries. Looking back at his playing career, Le Cong Vinh is one of the greatest strikers in Vietnamese football history with 51 goals for the national team, along with AFF Cup titles in 2026 and 2026. That reputation gives him a solid foundation of credibility, but does not guarantee success as a coach. However, actively seeking a strict training environment like Japan shows Cong Vinh has a clear strategy for his post-career phase. Still, there are some blind spots in this story. The original article did not provide details about the content of the training sessions, feedback from Hokuriku players, or specific coaching effectiveness. Simply listing the themes ‘attacking, defending, counter-attacking’ is quite generic. In reality, each session could include drills on high pressing, build-up play, or fast counter-attacks – all part of JFA’s modern curriculum. But without specific data, we can only infer at a medium level. Another potential challenge is expectation pressure. Vietnamese fans love Cong Vinh and will easily be drawn into the story of a ‘legend becoming a coach’. But the path from certification to actual matches is still very long. He needs to accumulate extensive experience, perhaps starting as an assistant at a professional club before taking the helm. If not careful, premature expectations could create counter-pressure. Strategically, Cong Vinh’s choice of Japan over Vietnam may signal limitations in the domestic coach training system. Many other veteran Vietnamese coaches are still taking local AFC courses. But if a player of Cong Vinh's stature chooses to go abroad, it could encourage younger retired players to also seek out more advanced football nations. That is a long-term benefit for Vietnamese football. In summary, Le Cong Vinh’s journey is a positive example of player-to-coach transition. It could become a template for future generations. But to fully assess, we need to wait for his next steps after receiving the AFC A certificate in April 2027: will he return to Vietnam as an assistant at some club, or stay in Japan for the Pro license? The answer will determine the future of one of Vietnamese football's most important figures.