This signing fee is the highest for a domestic coach in the V-League. This figure is double the amount Binh Duong paid the late coach Le Thuy Hai, the pioneering coach who first requested signing bonuses in the V-League during the 2014-2015 period.

According to a VnExpress source, Ninh Binh FC approached coach Nghiem during the V-League break in march, when the national team was concentrating. The coach, born in 1972, is free to negotiate with other teams as his contract with Hai Phong FC is set to expire at the end of this season, meaning in less than six months. Both sides have reached a preliminary agreement. The contract is for three seasons, until the end of the 2028-2029 season, and awaits finalization at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem of Hai Phong giving instructions during their 3-1 victory over PVF-CAND in round two of V-League 2025-2026, at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong on 23/8/2025. Photo: VPF

Ninh Binh proposed that coach Chu Dinh Nghiem take over from the end of this season, but the offer was declined. Besides his existing contract with the port city team, coach Nghiem's working principle is not to leave or join another team mid-season. He wants to complete a full season with Hai Phong before starting to build a new team. Additionally, he seeks a long-term contract that grants him full authority over personnel decisions.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem is widely regarded by many colleagues as the best Vietnamese coach currently. Born in 1972, he played for Cong an Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, Ha Noi ACB, and Hoa Phat Ha Noi. He retired and transitioned to coaching in 2006 at Ha Noi T&T (now Ha Noi FC) as an assistant. Ten years later, he was promoted to head coach and immediately won the V-League. During his five years leading the capital team, he secured three V-League championships, three National Super Cups, and two National Cups, making him the most decorated coach in Vietnamese football history. He parted ways with the team in mid-2021 following a period of poor performance.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem then joined Hai Phong before the 2022 V-League season. Despite a limited squad, relying on loaned players, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem still led Hai Phong to a second-place finish. In the three subsequent seasons, the team finished sixth (2023), seventh (2023-2024), and sixth (2024-2025) respectively. After 19 rounds this season, Hai Phong is currently in sixth place with 27 points.

Ninh Binh targeted Chu Dinh Nghiem after changing head coaches three times in their first season back in the V-League. The team began the 2025-2026 season with Spanish coach Gerard Albadalejo, then went 11 consecutive matches unbeaten in the V-League and reached the National Cup quarterfinals. However, after a break for the U23 Vietnam team to concentrate, Ninh Binh lost three matches, leading to coach Albadalejo's departure.

Subsequently, the ancient capital team appointed Vu Tien Thanh, formerly the technical director of HAGL, as interim coach. Under his guidance, the team achieved two wins, one draw, and one loss in the V-League. On 15/4, the team selected Bae Ji-won, former fitness coach for the Vietnam national team and The Cong, to lead until the end of the season, with coach Thanh moving to technical director.

Ninh Binh is currently third in the V-League with 37 points, 11 points behind league leaders Cong an Ha Noi. The tournament has seven rounds remaining. In round 20, Ninh Binh will host Ha Noi FC on 24/4.

Minh Khue