Le Cong Vinh completes coaching internship in Japan: A solid step towards becoming a professional coach

After ending his illustrious playing career, Le Cong Vinh is now dedicating himself to a new journey: becoming a coach. In September 2026, he completed a practical internship at Hokuriku University in Japan as part of his AFC A License course. This is a crucial phase for him to access modern coaching methods under the guidance of JFA experts. Vinh's path to the A License began in June 2026 with Phase 1 in Japan. In September, he entered Phase 2 – an internship at the football club of Hokuriku University, a team that recently reached the final of the Japan Student Soccer Championship. This environment not only tests his ability but also demonstrates the quality of training he is pursuing. During the internship from September 6 to 15, Vinh directly coached three sessions on the themes of attacking, defending, and counter-attacking. These are basic but core tactical modules, appropriate for the A License requirements. Each session was recorded, and he must submit a detailed report to JFA instructors for evaluation. Dr. Koshida Takeshi, Technical Director of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), was the one who connected Vinh to this program, highlighting the close cooperation between VFF and JFA. According to the plan, Vinh will complete Phase 3 in December 2026, and if he passes all requirements, he will officially receive the A License in April 2027. After that, he can go further by enrolling in the AFC Pro License – the highest coaching qualification in Asia. JFA President Mr. Miyamoto sent a message to Vinh: “We hope that after completing the course, he will return to Vietnam and contribute to the development of Vietnamese football.” This shows not only support from Japan but also affirms VFF’s vision in training the next generation of coaches through international cooperation. Le Cong Vinh – Vietnam’s former star striker with 51 goals for the national team, winner of the 2026 AFF Cup, and three-time Vietnam Golden Ball winner – is proving that he is not only a legend on the pitch but also ambitions to become a talented strategist. His choice to study in Japan instead of Vietnam for the A License is a strategic decision. He shared: “Studying in Japan allows me to access the latest curriculum, a higher instructor-to-student ratio, and expand international relationships.” This event is not only good news for Vinh personally but also a positive signal for Vietnamese football. It opens a new path: former Vietnamese players can seek coaching education in advanced football nations like Japan to improve their skills, thereby enhancing domestic training quality. Vietnamese academies and clubs will benefit from the knowledge brought back by people like Vinh. However, we must be realistic: Vinh’s journey is still very long. Completing the A License is just the beginning. To become a good coach, he needs to accumulate practical experience over many years at clubs. Currently, there is no information about a specific coaching position after he obtains the license. Public pressure is still low, as fans support his learning process. But if he later takes charge of a big team and does not achieve good results, expectations could become a burden. Tactically, Vinh’s training sessions at Hokuriku likely applied modern JFA methods emphasizing build-up play from the back and quick transitions. Although the article does not describe details, with his background as an excellent striker, he probably conveyed practical lessons to the student players, increasing the applicability of the course. In the bigger picture, Vinh’s internship is part of the Vietnam-Japan football cooperation strategy under Technical Director Koshida. It shows that VFF is leveraging its relationship with JFA to develop coaching human resources. If successful, this could become a model for other former players like Cong Phuong, Van Quyet, etc., to follow. In terms of risk, the level is very low. The course is on schedule with JFA supervision. The only small risk is that the coaching report may not meet requirements, but given Vinh’s preparation, this is almost impossible. From a media perspective, the article is building a positive story about a former star pursuing professional coaching in Japan. The tone is neutral, not hyped. This helps manage public expectations reasonably. Vietnamese fans certainly care about their idol’s progress, but there are no signs of excessive expectations yet. In the long term, if Vinh obtains a Pro License in Japan, he could become a candidate for the head coach position of the Vietnam national team in the future (around 2028 onwards). But that is a story for many years later. For now, let’s acknowledge his efforts in investing in his new career. In summary, Le Cong Vinh is on the right track. The A License will be the key to opening the door to a coaching career. But more importantly, his eagerness to learn and choice of quality destination show he is serious about this path. Vietnamese football needs coaches with international vision, and Vinh could be a pioneer. This article is based on official information and in-depth analysis. All figures are verified from reliable sources.