New technical director Koshida Takeshi (right) and VFF General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi on June 1 in Hà Nội. Photo courtesy of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Koshida Takeshi hopes that he can help Việt Nam to compete at the soonest possible World Cup after the Japanese became the new technical director of the Việt Nam Football Federation.

The contract was signed on June 1 in Hà Nội.

“It is my honour to take the technical director seat with the VFF. I am lucky and grateful to receive this responsibility," Takeshi said after the signing ceremony.

"Việt Nam's football, especially youth football, has been strongly developed. I hope that I can contribute to the training activities for the next generations and help Việt Nam to compete in the World Cup in 2026 or 2030."

Takeshi, 63, was a former Japanese national team player. He played for the U20s in 1979 and the senior team from 1980 to 1985. 

During his playing career from 1979 to 1995, he competed for Tsukuba University, Nisan Motor and Kanazawa and won the Emperor's Cup in 1983 and 1985 and the JSL Cup in the 1988-89 season.

He worked as a coach with a pro certificate, consultant and technical director of different local clubs from 1995 to 2012. He was the Japanese Football Association's lecturer in 2008. He has worked with youth football squads for more than 30 years.

Speaking at the ceremony VFF General Secretary VFF Dương Nghiệp Khôi believes that with his experience in playing and coaching, Takeshi will help to lift the national football to a higher level.

"At his position, Takeshi will also be a lecturer of VFF's training courses and conferences. He will cooperate with other departments and coaches to build up plans for our training activities and development orientation," Khôi said.

"At the same time, he takes charge of training human resources for Vietnamese football, especially the system of young coaches, and technical directors for football clubs and centres.

"He will coordinate with VFF staff to improve the quality and update international information and advanced modern methods for Vietnamese football. It will help us to quickly approach the development of international football."

Takeshi believes that Việt Nam and Japan have the same qualities of hard work and ambition.

He is expected to cooperate closely with national teams head coach Philippe Troussier when working for the VFF.

"I met Troussier in April," Takeshi said.

"We will be neighbours when living at the VFF's campus. It is good for us to exchange information every day. It will help me to understand clearly his work with the teams."

The value and length of the contract have not been revealed but it is said reported to be an open deal. If Takeshi performs a good job he will stay with VFF for another period for long-term targets. VNS