HÀ NỘI National team coach Park Hang-seo is close to signing a new contract, according to the Việt Nam Football Federation.

Federation President Lê Khánh Hải yesterday confirmed that his deal will be extended in the near future.

“I have found no reason preventing us from extending the contract with Park Hang-seo,” said Hải in a meeting with media yesterday in Hà Nội.

The president said they can and would pay higher salary for the South Korean expert and is confident Park will stay in charge of the Việt Nam national teams.

“We will appeal to enterprises and organisations to help us pay for Park. He deserves to have a good salary for what he has done for us. The Federation is working hard to find the best possible plan which fits his huge contribution.

“This time we will not only discuss with Park but also his assistants who played key roles in Việt Nam’s football development,” Hải said.

Park’s salary of about US$20,000 is paid by Hoàng Anh Gia Lai boss Đoàn Nguyên Đức. Đức is former VFF vice president in charge of finance. He invited Park to Việt Nam.

Park started his job in Việt Nam in October, 2017. The deal will end on January 31.

The two sides will talk three months ahead of his current contract expiring.

But after his success, it seems Park is a wanted man. Reports suggest his has been offered four times his current deal to move to Thailand.

In a recent meeting with Vietnamese supporters, Park said he was moved by his love of the fans. “I had the privilege to work in Việt Nam and I received much love from Vietnamese supporters, so I must be responsible for that,” he was quoted as saying on thethao247.vn.

“The process for the contract is quite complicated. I have authorised my representative to come to an agreement with the Federation.”

Park will lead the national team in the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifier, Asia zone, in September and October. In November, he will guide the U22 team as they search for their first ever title at the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. VNS