Goalie Nguyễn Tuấn Mạnh. — Photo vov.vn

HÀ NỘI — After more than five years with Sanna Khánh Hòa, goalie Nguyễn Tuấn Mạnh said goodbye to his team on Thursday.

The 30-year-old signed a three-year contract extension with the club earlier this season. His announcement came as a surprise.

The cause of this sudden decision was mainly financial. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the operating budget of Khánh Hòa has been affected. In the first three months of 2020, the whole team received a 50% salary reduction. In April, they saw an additional cut of 10 per cent.

With income cut, it is more difficult for players to concentrate on the pitch and pushed Mạnh to leave.

Mạnh, who won the bronze medal in the V.League 2018 and silver medal in the Mekong Cup 2017 alongside Khánh Hòa, wrote a letter of thanks to the team and fans on Facebook.

The destination of the goalkeeper who won the AFF Cup 2018 with the Việt Nam team has not been disclosed. Most likely, he will reappear in the V.League 1 in June.  VNS