Vinh, 28 September, 2025 – Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) have become the first club in the V.League 1 – 2025/26 season to change head coach, as Phan Nhu Thuat resigned following a dramatic 2-3 home defeat to Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
The Nghệ An-based side looked set to secure three points in round five after taking a 2-0 lead at Vinh Stadium, only to collapse in the second half and concede three unanswered goals. The painful turnaround proved to be the tipping point for coach Thuat, who announced his decision to step down shortly after the final whistle.
The resignation comes at the end of a disappointing run of form for SLNA. After five matches, they have recorded just one win – a shock victory over defending champions Nam Dinh – along with one draw and three losses. With only four points, the team currently sits in 11th place on the V.League 1 table, hovering just above the relegation zone.
Coach Thuat had previously guided SLNA through a turbulent 2024/25 campaign, steering the club to safety in dramatic fashion during the final weeks of the season. His ability to keep the team afloat earned him recognition, but the poor start to the current campaign has overshadowed those achievements. The coach decided to step aside to allow the club to search for a replacement capable of reversing fortunes.
SLNA have yet to announce Thuat’s successor. The club confirmed that the new head coach will be appointed after the round six fixture against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. That match will mark the final outing before the V.League 1 breaks for FIFA Days, giving the incoming manager a crucial two-week window to reorganize the squad and address the team’s weaknesses.
The resignation underlines the pressure on coaches in the V.League 1, where early results often determine job security. With SLNA’s proud history and passionate fanbase, patience quickly runs thin when performances fall short of expectations.
The timing of Thuat’s departure offers both challenges and opportunities for SLNA. On one hand, the team is underperforming and must regain confidence quickly. On the other, an international break provides breathing room for the next coach to implement tactical changes and motivate players before the season intensifies.
Fans of SLNA will be eager to see whether the club opts for a domestic candidate familiar with the V.League 1’s demands, or looks abroad for fresh ideas. Whoever takes charge will face the immediate task of steadying the defense and instilling belief back into the squad.
As the first managerial change of the 2025/26 season, SLNA’s decision sets the tone for a campaign that promises to be fiercely competitive. With the race for both the title and survival already heating up, the pressure will only increase on clubs struggling to find form in the opening rounds.
Hong Phuc
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