Coach Kim Sang Sik returns to South Korea after father's death: Tactical gap before ASEAN Cup 2026

In a brief announcement from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on the afternoon of August 12, 2026, a single line confirmed that head coach Kim Sang Sik had returned to South Korea following his father's death. Behind that line lies a tactical gap that Vietnam must manage during the final phase of preparation for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. The Korean coach is expected to remain in his homeland for about a week to handle funeral arrangements before returning to Vietnam. The timing coincides with the final preparations for the regional tournament, where Vietnam is drawn in Group A alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan. VFF stated that Kim's father, 84, passed away after a period of illness. The VFF president sent deep condolences and encouraged him to return home immediately. This is the correct approach for a professional football organization: putting people above results. However, from a technical standpoint, the head coach's absence for five to seven days creates a significant operational gap. Kim Sang Sik was appointed Vietnam head coach in May 2026. He quickly made his mark with proactive ball control, mid-block pressing and quick transitions. Under him, both the senior team and U23s have achieved positive results in regional and continental competitions. Kim is highly regarded for his detailed training plans, especially situational tactical sessions. Therefore, a week's absence during the final stretch is noteworthy. The 2026 ASEAN Cup runs from September 24 to October 5, 2026. Vietnam is in Group A with Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan. Thailand is the main rival for top spot, while the Philippines and Pakistan are considered weaker. Vietnam's minimum target is to advance from the group and push for the final. The training camp from mid-August to mid-September is therefore crucial. In international football, national team camps are often short and intense. Coaching staff have only weeks to convey tactical ideas, test personnel and build connections between lines. Every session is planned to the minute. A week without the head coach means key tactical sessions may be delayed or delegated to assistants. Many federations require the head coach to attend at least 70 percent of pre-tournament sessions. VFF is believed to have a temporary plan. Assistant coaches, including those who have worked with Kim for a long time, will maintain daily schedules. They can handle fitness, group coordination and some pre-agreed tactical drills. However, the head coach's role is not just training. He makes final decisions on personnel, tactics and team psychology. Without him, important calls may be delayed or lack consistency. Kim is known for his intense work ethic. He often stays up late analyzing video, studying opponents and preparing individual lessons for player groups. In team meetings, he emphasizes set pieces and quick transitions from defense to attack. These tasks are hard for assistants to replicate in a short time. The gap he leaves is not just a week on the calendar, but a week without the captain. Still, the human aspect must be recognized. The death of a parent is a huge loss. VFF's immediate support for Kim's return shows a good relationship between the two sides. This is a positive signal about Vietnamese football governance. In the past, some foreign coaches were pressured to stay despite family emergencies. VFF's handling has been praised and may motivate Kim to contribute even more when he returns. Professionally, the bigger concern is psychological disruption. After a bereavement, Kim may need time to regain full focus. Elite football demands clear decisions on substitutions and tactical adjustments. A single moment of distraction can cost the team. No one can quantify the impact, but history has seen coaches struggle shortly after family tragedies. Another factor is the role of senior players. Names like Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Do Hung Dung and Vu Van Thanh are experienced voices in the dressing room. During the head coach's absence, they can bridge the gap between staff and players. If they maintain discipline and fighting spirit, negative effects will be reduced. If complacency appears, the team could pay immediately in the opening match. Tactically, Kim often uses a flexible 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1. He prioritizes mid-block pressing, winning the ball in midfield and quick switches to the wings. His sessions focus on shifting the block with the ball, synchronized pressing and three-player combinations on the flanks. These drills require direct supervision because small distance errors can break the structure. Without Kim, maintaining intensity and accuracy is a major challenge. Fitness is also a concern. Pre-tournament camps build the physical base and adjust training load. If assistants do not fully understand the original plan, overtraining or undertraining can occur. For a short tournament, peaking at the right time is critical. Kim is known for his attention to this detail, and his absence could disrupt the peaking process. From media and fan perspectives, two narratives may emerge. One is sympathy and support for Kim. The other is concern about team preparation. The actual impact will depend on results. If Vietnam start well, the story will fade. If the team struggles, questions about the coach's absence may return. This is the underlying pressure any team faces. Thailand are also preparing and are considered the strongest team in Group A. They have more overseas-based players and greater squad depth. If Vietnam lose optimal preparation, the gap with Thailand could widen. But football always has surprises. Vietnam's past wins over Thailand in difficult moments show the team's character is not only in the coach. There is also the U23 impact. Kim has coached both the U23 and senior teams. His absence could affect future youth plans. In the short term, however, the 2026 ASEAN Cup is the priority. VFF must ensure resources are focused on the senior team while having a backup plan if Kim needs more time. In South Korea, media may report on Kim returning for his father's funeral. This could generate a wave of spiritual support from home. But some may argue he should spend more time with family instead of returning immediately. Either way, it is his personal decision and should be respected. Professionally, Kim returning on schedule would help stabilize Vietnam before the tournament. In summary, Kim Sang Sik's return to South Korea after his father's death is noteworthy but not a disaster for Vietnam. VFF handled it properly, and assistants are capable of maintaining training. The real challenge is Kim's psychological recovery and the team's focus during the final stretch. If the team stays stable, the one-week gap will be a small note in the 2026 ASEAN Cup journey. If problems arise, it could become the center of debate. The question is not whether Kim has the strength to overcome loss, but whether the entire Vietnamese football system can stand firm when the captain is absent at the most important moment. The answer will be written on the pitch, starting September 24, 2026.