Kim’s initial two-year contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is set to expire in May 2026. However, the contract includes an automatic one-year extension clause should he meet the performance targets set by the VFF, eliminating the need for renegotiation.

The Korean coach has fulfilled those objectives by guiding Vietnam to the title at the ASEAN Cup 2024 and leading Vietnam’s U22 side to the gold medal at the recently concluded SEA Games 33. As a result, his contract has been automatically extended by one year.

Accordingly, Kim will remain in charge of the Vietnam national team at the AFC Asian Cup 2027, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 6, 2027.

A key question now is what new targets the VFF will set for the additional one-year term. Asian Cup 2027 is widely viewed as a major challenge for Vietnam. Furthermore, Vietnam’s qualification for the final tournament has yet to be confirmed, with the decisive final group match against Malaysia scheduled for March 31, 2026, to be played in Vietnam. The team previously suffered a 0–4 defeat in the first-leg match in Kuala Lumpur in June this year.

Although Malaysia were found to have violated regulations regarding the use of naturalized players in the first-leg match and were sanctioned by FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has yet to issue an official ruling on the matter.

In 2026, Vietnam will also have another key tournament, the ASEAN Cup, scheduled for August. Successfully defending the title could be one of the new objectives set by the VFF for Kim.

Speaking to the local media on December 22, the Korean head coach shared that after nearly two years in Vietnam and given the results he has achieved, he believed he has built a fairly solid résumé.

“I am very happy working with the players here,” Kim noted.

Regarding the contract, he said discussions would take place later, as the VFF president is currently very busy.

Coach Kim Sang-sik receives big reward after ASEAN Cup win

VOV.VN - The Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) has rewarded VND500 million to head coach Kim Sang-sik and an additional VND500 million to the Vietnamese national team in recognition of their recent ASEAN Cup 2024 triumph.