VFF General Secretary Lê Hoài Anh and coach Mal Đức Chung (right) shake hands after signing a one-year contract in Hà Nội on August 8. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI —  The Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) and coach Mai Đức Chung have agreed to extend their contract for another year.

VFF Generation Secretary Lê Hoài Anh announced the news in a football briefing on August 8 in Hà Nội.

Chung's current deal with the national women's football team will expire on December 31.

Under the new one, he will take charge of the team until December 31, 2023.

His main duty is to lead Việt Nam at the 2023 Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next August.

"My contract will be until the end of 2023. I am happy when receiving the trust of the VFF but understand that it is a heavy task," Chung told reporters.

"In 2023, the women's team have a range of competitions such as the SEA Games, the Asian Games and especially the World Cup. We will face strong teams like the Philippines who have received strong investment in recent years."

Chung revealed his retirement plan after leading the team to World Cup in February. He also repeated his stance before the recent AFF Cup.

However, the VFF  found no one more suitable than Chung to take charge of the team and successfully persuaded him to extend his contract to 2023.

"The Philippines have improved their team by importing many foreign players. But it is their way. I have proposed plans to the VFF. In my opinion, the key is to scout and train young players and send them to intensive courses and competitions to sharpen their technique," said Chung when asked how to upgrade his team for the future.

"We should build stable and long-term plans. Look at how they do it in Japan and South Korea, and we can learn a lot from them." VNS