Philippe Troussier listed among greatest AFC Asian Cup coaches

Philippe Troussier, the head coach of Vietnam’s U19 men’s football team, is listed among greatest AFC Asian Cup coaches.

The AFC’s website states, “Appointed in 1998 after nearly a decade coaching in Africa, Frenchman Philippe Troussier led a swashbuckling Japan side to a second AFC Asian Cup title in Lebanon in 2000.”

“The Blue Samurais scored 21 goals in just six matches, inflicting heavy losses on Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Iraq, before defeating defending champion Saudis once again in the final in Beirut”.

The AFC added, “Troussier went on to lead Japan to the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, before overseeing Qatar’s group stage elimination at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China.”

On the list of leading coaches is Félix Sánchez, a Spaniard who recently led Qatar to victory at the 2019 Asian Cup. “With Asian glory achieved, Sánchez is now tasked with leading Qatar at their first FIFA World Cup, which the West Asian will host in 2022,” the AFC’s website outlines.

The list features all 14 people who have won the AFC Asian Cup as head coach, with countless other talented tacticians attempting, and failing, to claim the greatest prize in Asian football throughout the 64-year history of the tournament.

Also named in the AFC’s rankings are Khalil Al Zayani, who led Saudi Arabia to be champions at the 1984 Asian Cup, Mohammad Ranjbar, who helped Iran come first in the tournament in 1974, and Heshmat Mohajerani, who led Iran to victory in 1976.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to championship titles in 1980 and 1988, respectively, Ange Postecoglou, who won with trophy with Australia in 2015, Zico, who managed Japan in their victorious 2004 campaign, Jorvan Vieira, who helped Iraq win in 2007, and Alberto Zaccheroni, who contributed to Japan’s win in 2011, are also named.