Le Cong Vinh: From pitch legend to coaching intern in Japan

The training ground of Hokuriku University, an early September morning. The chilly air of the Hokuriku region in Japan is not enough to overshadow the silhouette of a Vietnamese man standing in the middle of a player circle. He is no longer the all-time top scorer with 51 goals for the national team. Le Cong Vinh, at 41, is an intern – someone excavating himself from the sediment of the past. The context of this story is not a high-profile match nor a transfer deal. It is a silent but strategic journey: the AFC A License course, organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA) with support from VFF Technical Director Koshida Takeshi. Vinh completed Phase 1 in June 2026 and is currently interning from September 6 to 15 at Hokuriku University – whose team just reached the finals of the All-Japan University Championship. This is not a basic course; it is the gateway to the Pro license, a credential for world-class coaches. I do not hunt for famous players. I hunt for the moments they are forgotten. Here, that moment is when Vinh, a legend, becomes a student again. His coaching themes in this internship cover three main areas: attacking, defending, and counter-attacking. Sound generic? That is the foundation of every A License syllabus. What is fascinating is the environment – Hokuriku University is not a professional club, but it is an ideal testing ground. The team just competed in the national university finals, showing a high amateur level that provides moderate pressure for a trainee coach. Vinh must submit a coaching report to JFA instructors, ensuring quality control, though no objective data on session effectiveness has been released. Digging deeper: why Japan instead of Vietnam? The answer lies in Vinh’s own statement: 'To come to Japan to develop relationships and learn an updated curriculum.' This reflects a harsh reality: the domestic coach training system has yet to meet the expectations of those who have reached the pinnacle. But this is not a criticism; it is a positive signal that Vietnamese football is seeking international standards. Vinh is not just studying; he is building bridges. The support from JFA President Miyamoto further confirms this: a former Vietnamese star being allowed to intern in Japan is proof of the strategic partnership between the two football nations. Counter-intuitive angle: many might think that a legend like Vinh doing an internship is just a formality, a stepping stone to get the license and then sit in the hot seat. But in reality, this journey carries more risk than meets the eye. The A License demands high discipline; the report must meet JFA standards. If he fails, his reputation could be affected. Moreover, choosing Japan over Vietnam means betting on a foreign environment with different language and coaching culture. Yet this audacity is what makes it valuable. Vinh is not taking the safe path; he is taking the hard path, where every session is a test. I have watched hundreds of Vietnam national team matches, from the time Vinh was still playing. Back then, I saw a striker who always knew how to create space. Now, I see a trainee coach trying to create space for his second career. This makes me wonder: is Vietnamese football ready for a generation of coaches trained in Japan? Or are we still just sending people to study and letting them swim alone? Vinh may be a pioneer, but it will take more than one individual to change the entire system. Looking ahead, if Vinh completes the course by April 2027 and continues to the Pro license, he could become a strong candidate for the national team head coach position in 5-7 years. But for now, he is just an intern – someone excavating themselves from the sediment of the past, so that one day, the spotlight may shine again on a new legend: the legend of the technical area.