Coach Popov extends contract with Thanh Hoa

Thanh Hoa Club Executive Director Cao Hoang Duc confirmed the contract extension with coach Popov this morning, July 8.

The move came a day after the Bulgarian coach helped Thanh Hoa defeat Hanoi FC in the final to successfully defend the National Cup. However, the two sides had negotiated and reached an agreement a week earlier.

Popov was born in 1976 and has a Pro license from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). His playing career was not outstanding, he retired early in 2000 and then switched to coaching. Since 2012, Popov has worked in Asia, starting with the New Radiant Club of Maldives, winning the treble of the national championship, the National Cup and the National Super Cup in 2013. After that, he worked in Oman, Thailand and Malaysia.

At the national team level, Popov led Maldives in 2015, then U23 Myanmar from 2019 to 2023, with a bronze medal at the 30th SEA Games. After the 32nd SEA Games in Vietnam, he left Myanmar to join Thanh Hoa. Despite limited potential, in his first season, he helped the Thanh team transform, becoming the best pressing team in the V-League, winning the National Cup, the National Super Cup and finishing fourth in the V-League. This season, Thanh Hoa only finished eighth in the V-League, but became one of the rare teams in Vietnamese history to win the National Cup two consecutive seasons.

Coach Popov is famous for his hot temper, repeatedly criticizing referees as well as opponents and the V-League organizers. He even publicly criticized Thanh Hoa club, saying that the team had not thoroughly resolved issues such as finances and grounds, causing him and his students to face many difficulties.

After re-signing his contract, coach Popov is asking the Thanh Hoa club's management to urgently increase personnel because next season Thanh Hoa will compete in four arenas: V-League, National Cup, AFC Cup and Southeast Asian Club Championship.