First Vietnamese Coach to Go Overseas, Signs Contract with a Football Federation in America

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has announced the appointment of Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lan to the position of assistant coach for the national team. The former assistant coach of The Cong Viettel is the first Vietnamese coach to work abroad in South America.

From Sports Journalist to the First Vietnamese Coach Working in South America

Coach Hoang Lan started as a sports journalist and football commentator before joining The Cong Viettel as a language assistant. Over more than 10 years with the military-affiliated club at both the senior and youth levels, he contributed to many notable achievements, including winning the V.League 1 championship in the 2020 season, as well as youth titles at the U21 and U17 levels.

At the international level, the Vietnamese coach also participated in prestigious continental tournaments such as the AFC Champions League 2021 and AFC Cup 2022. These experiences helped him accumulate significant expertise in high-level football environments with diverse tactical demands.

Coach Nguyen Hoang Lan is evaluated as a tactically clear-minded coach, excelling in match analysis, defensive organization, and transitioning between phases. He also has strengths in developing young players while maintaining competitiveness at the senior level – aligning with GFF's strategic direction of enhancing player quality and team performance.

With proficient English language skills and experience working in a multicultural football environment, Coach Nguyen Hoang Lan is expected by GFF to quickly integrate and play a key role in raising the professional standards and competitive ambitions of the Golden Jaguars. He also maintains a good relationship with head coach Thomas Dooley due to their time working together at The Cong Viettel.

Guyana is a country located on the South American continent, but its national team (currently ranked 151st in the world) is affiliated with the CONCACAF football federation. Besides his role as a national team assistant coach specializing in match analysis, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lan is also tasked by GFF with leading the Guyana U20 team in the CONCACAF U20 qualifiers.