Coach Kim Sang Sik returns to South Korea after father's death: VFF backs him as Vietnam keep rhythm before ASEAN Cup 2026

On August 13, 2026, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) confirmed that national team head coach Kim Sang Sik has left Vietnam to return to South Korea following the death of his father. According to the VFF announcement, Kim Sang Sik's father passed away at the age of 84 after a period of illness. Kim is expected to stay in South Korea for about a week to handle family funeral arrangements before returning to Vietnam to continue his work. The news comes as Vietnam are entering the final weeks of preparation for the ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 5, 2026. In the draw, Vietnam were placed in Group A alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan. This is considered a moderately competitive group, with Thailand seen as the main rival in the race for top spot. The VFF said its president directly sent deep condolences to Kim Sang Sik and his family, while encouraging him to fulfill his responsibility to his late father. In a public message, the VFF expressed hope that Kim Sang Sik and his family would soon overcome this immense loss. The federation's handling of the situation has received approval from experts because it shows an understanding between professional results and human values. Kim Sang Sik was appointed to lead the Vietnam national team in May 2026. Over the past two years, he has worked with both the U23 and senior national teams, helping Vietnamese football maintain its regional standing and produce positive results in continental competitions. His working style is considered disciplined, detail-oriented and capable of building a cohesive playing style. Kim Sang Sik's absence of about one week during the pre-tournament period raises questions about how it might affect Vietnam's preparation. Based on my experience watching matches, in Southeast Asian football, national teams often have only short training windows to assemble tactics. One week may not change physical foundations or squad structure, but it can affect the delivery of new tactical adjustments. However, the impact depends heavily on how the coaching staff organizes work during the head coach's absence. If assistant coaches maintain the training syllabus, intensity and video analysis sessions, Vietnam can still keep rhythm. If important tactical sessions were scheduled specifically for this week, the impact could be greater, but not to the point of crisis. One notable point is the timing. If Kim Sang Sik returns to Vietnam after about a week, he will have nearly ten days before Vietnam's opening match at the ASEAN Cup 2026. That period is enough for him to assess the squad, review tactical options and make final personnel decisions. Compared with many major tournaments, this timeframe remains manageable. Psychologically, losing one's father is a major shock for anyone. In elite sport, coaches often face pressure to maintain absolute focus, especially when a tournament is near. Kim Sang Sik may return in a different emotional state. Some choose to throw themselves into work as a way to cope with grief, while others need time to regain balance. This is a difficult factor to measure but cannot be ignored. In recent years, Vietnam have built a squad with depth and character. Key players such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh and Do Hung Dung are experienced figures capable of leading the play and maintaining dressing-room stability. With the head coach absent, the role of the senior player group becomes even more important. They must not only perform but also convey spirit and maintain training standards. The VFF has shown strong support for Kim Sang Sik. This is not rare in international football, but it shows that the relationship between the federation and the head coach is in a positive state. When an organization knows how to put people before short-term results, it creates a healthier working environment. This can help Kim Sang Sik feel respected and more motivated when he returns. From the opposite perspective, it cannot be denied that professional football is always tied to results. If Vietnam start slowly at the ASEAN Cup 2026, questions about preparation may arise. However, the head coach's one-week absence for family reasons is unlikely to become the focus of criticism if the coaching staff and players do their jobs well. Public and media sympathy for Kim Sang Sik is very large. In the region, Southeast Asian football is seeing increasingly fierce competition. Thailand remain a leading force, while Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have all made significant strides. Vietnam cannot be complacent, even though the group is considered favorable. Maintaining focus during the final stretch is key, and Kim Sang Sik will need to quickly stabilize everything when he returns. One less-mentioned aspect is the impact from South Korean media. When a South Korean coach working abroad faces a family tragedy, media in his home country may report it and create a wave of sympathy. This can give Kim Sang Sik more mental support, but it can also bring invisible pressure if the story is overexploited. Balancing work and private life is not an easy task for anyone. On the professional side, Vietnam still have much work to do. Assembling the lineup, testing attacking options and improving set-piece defending are important tasks. If Kim Sang Sik is absent, the assistants must ensure these areas are not interrupted. This is an opportunity for the coaching staff to prove their collective operational capacity, rather than depending entirely on one individual. For Vietnamese fans, the news may cause some concern. However, most social media comments have expressed sympathy and wished Kim Sang Sik a speedy recovery from his pain. Football is not only about victory. Sometimes, it is a story about people, about losses and how a collective stands together in difficult times. Looking back at the history of Vietnamese football, there have been periods when the national team had to face off-field events. How they overcome such moments often shapes a team's identity. If Vietnam remain stable during the week Kim Sang Sik is absent, that will be a positive signal about the team's character and depth. The VFF will likely continue to update Kim Sang Sik's situation and return plan in the coming days. Meanwhile, the coaching staff and players will maintain their training program at the training center. All attention will be on whether the team can keep their training rhythm, and whether tactical adjustments are affected. One thing is certain: football does not stop. But people need to live fully in their own moments. Kim Sang Sik is doing the right thing by returning to his family. When he returns, Vietnam will have one more reason to fight for a coach who has placed responsibility and emotion above all else. Will a one-week absence change the landscape of Group A? The answer lies in how Vietnam enter their first match. If they start with focus and character, that short gap will be just a small detail in a long journey. If mistakes occur, it will be a reminder that even the strongest teams need time and stability to operate smoothly.