The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is speeding up procedures to sign a contract with a Japanese coach to lead the national football team.

The two sides plan to officially introduce the coach to the public on May 15.

Vietnamese national football squad to be led by Japanese coach

Recently, Xuan Du, who is newly-appointed to be in charge of VFF’s communication affairs, said they would not employ Marcel Desailly, a retired French footballer, to lead the national football squad and the U23 football team.

“We can’t employ Marcel Desailly because the salary of between USD50,000 and USD60,000 per month was too much. He also lacks experience as a coach,” Gu commented.

The VFF also seems to have not given much consideration to Malaysian coach K. Rajagobal.

General secretary of the VFF, Le Hoai Anh, said the agency is speeding up necessary procedures and, if everything goes smoothly, they would sign a contract with a new coach on May 15.

“The new coach will lead both the national football team and the U23 football club. We’re checking his profile before officially signing the contract,” said the VFF’s vice chairman, Tran Quoc Tuan.

He added that the Japanese coach has 11 years experience. He is among three candidates introduced by the Japanese Football Association.

After signing the contract, the new coach will start preparing for the national team to compete at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 which will be co-hosted by Vietnam and Singapore in late November. The tourney includes the participation of all 11 national teams in Southeast Asia.