Harry Kewell, the acclaimed former player for Liverpool and Leeds United, has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Hanoi FC, a prominent club in Vietnam’s top tier, the V.League 1. The news of Kewell’s arrival has been widely confirmed across social media platforms, marking a significant development for the club.
The Australian coach steps into the role previously held by Japanese tactician Makoto Teguramori, who recently departed the club after a 10-month tenure. Kewell, at 47 years old, brings a wealth of experience from both his illustrious playing career and his coaching endeavors.
Prior to taking the reins at Hanoi FC, Kewell served as part of the coaching staff at Japanese J-League club Yokohama F. Marinos. During his time there, he was notably involved in leading the team to the AFC Champions League final. However, Yokohama F. Marinos ultimately lost in the final to Al Ain, and following this defeat and a subsequent dip in the team’s form, Kewell also parted ways with the Japanese club.
Hanoi FC currently occupies sixth position in the V.League 1 standings. After six games played, they have accumulated 8 points, recording two wins, two draws, and two losses, highlighting the challenge that lies ahead for the new coach.
Kewell’s coaching journey includes several previous roles in English football. He managed Crawley Town in 2017, followed by a stint at Notts County in 2018. The former Australian international midfielder later took charge of Oldham Athletic in 2020 and subsequently Barnet in 2021, prior to his move to Asia.
Shifting focus to his distinguished playing career, Kewell began his professional journey with Club Marconi in 1990 before making a significant move to Leeds United, where he played from 1993 to 2003. He then transferred to Liverpool, spending five impactful years at Anfield from 2003 to 2008, where he became a fan favorite.
After his time at Liverpool, Kewell also featured for clubs such as Galatasaray, Melbourne Victory, Al-Gharafa, and Melbourne Heart before concluding his illustrious playing career. A highlight of his career was his integral contribution to Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League triumph in 2005, making him the first Australian player to lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
On the international stage, Kewell proudly represented Australia in numerous major tournaments. He participated in the FIFA World Cup in 2006 and 2010, the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997, and the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 and 2011, among other qualifying campaigns, cementing his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest footballers.
