Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) presents the commemorative medal “For the Cause of Vietnamese Football” to coach Guillaume Graechen
On the day of receiving the commemorative medal “For the Cause of Vietnamese Football” awarded by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), on the morning of 17 May in Ho Chi Minh City, coach Guillaume Graechen—the mentor closely associated with the generation of players such as Công Phượng and Xuân Trường—offered special words of encouragement to Vietnam U17 national football team following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup. He affirmed that this achievement serves as an important motivation for Vietnamese youth football to make further breakthroughs in the future.
18/05/2026 16:59:33
Over 20 years of dedicated work in Vietnamese youth football, beginning with the first intake of the HAGL-Arsenal JMG Academy, coach Guillaume Graechen has left a profound mark on player development. Names such as Công Phượng, Xuân Trường, Tuấn Anh, and Văn Toàn—who once captivated fans in youth tournaments—are among the “elite products” shaped under his guidance.
Beyond the generation of Công Phượng, the French coach continued his contributions at Nutifood Football Academy, nurturing emerging talents such as Nguyễn Huỳnh Quốc Cường, Phạm Lý Đức, Nguyễn Nhật Minh, and Nguyễn Quốc Việt.
In recognition of his two decades of contributions to the development of Vietnamese football, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided to award coach Guillaume Graechen the commemorative medal. On behalf of the VFF Executive Committee, Vice President Nguyen Xuan Vu presented the honour to the French tactician.
The ceremony was attended by Doan Nguyen Duc, Chairman of HAGL Club, Nutifood Chairman Tran Thanh Hai, as well as former players including Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyễn Nhật Minh, and former player Trần Hữu Đông Triều.
In an emotional sharing, Guillaume Graechen expressed surprise at the award, noting he had only been informed a week earlier. He said he felt deeply honoured and proud of his work, while emphasising that success did not come from him alone but from collective efforts. He also paid tribute to the late coach Dương Minh Ninh, who accompanied him throughout the journey.
Reflecting on 20 years in Vietnam, he highlighted the clear progress in youth football, noting that children aged 6–12 now receive structured training from an early age, allowing clubs to focus more on technical development.
In particular, regarding Vietnam U17 national football team, he emphasised that their qualification for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup is a major motivation for further development of Vietnamese youth football in the years ahead.
