Thanh Hoa's Departure: From 18 Players to High Ambitions - The Sustainability Equation

On the afternoon of September 4, at Thanh Hoa Stadium, I stood at the corner of the pitch, meticulously noting every detail of the departure ceremony. The atmosphere felt different from previous years. Not because of the flashiness of the new squad, but because of something deeper: the relief of a collective that just escaped dire straits. Last season, I meticulously documented every training session of a team with only 18 players. Surviving in 11th place was not just a result; it was a quiet miracle. Now, as the club announced a registered squad of over 30 players, I ask myself: what has truly changed beyond the numbers? The arrival of new president Le Xuan Tuong, a businessman behind T-Group and Thang Long Export Mechanical Tools Joint Stock Company, is the clearest financial signal. But to me, someone who has followed Vietnamese football for over two decades, the bigger question lies in the sustainability of this investment. Is this a long-term commitment or merely a short-term branding campaign? Vietnamese football history has witnessed too many owners come and go, leaving clubs in debt. Looking at the squad structure, I recognize a potential tactical shift. The addition of 4 foreign players, including 2 midfielders (Abdurakhmanov from Uzbekistan and Lovric Di Mateo) and 2 strikers (Monteiro Martins and Guindo), indicates a clear attacking orientation. No foreign center-back has been registered, raising questions about defensive capabilities against physically strong strikers. Last season, with 18 players, coach Mai Xuan Hop built a solid defensive counter-attacking style. This squad expansion could signal a more open style of play, but it also carries risks of cohesion issues in the early season. The highlight of the recruitment strategy is using the overseas Vietnamese slot for Laotian striker Damoth Thongkhamsavath. This is a smart regulatory move, providing an additional non-domestic position without consuming a foreign quota. But it also reveals the meticulous budget calculations of the new leadership, seeking value from less competitive markets like Uzbekistan or West Africa. Fan expectations are running high. Coach Mai Xuan Hop's public commitment to achieving the highest results in both the V-League and the National Cup is a double-edged sword. I have witnessed too many Vietnamese clubs making ambitious statements at departure ceremonies only to sink mid-season. The home opener against SHB Da Nang on September 6 will be the first and most crucial test. There is a common misconception from the outside that expanding the squad means the team has become stronger. Reality is far more complex. Twelve new players need time to integrate, and foreign signings from bargain markets always carry risks regarding quality and adaptation to Vietnamese football. Last season's success was built on the stability of a small, cohesive unit. Breaking that stability to seek upgrades could backfire in the short term. Retaining coach Mai Xuan Hop through the leadership transition is a positive signal for the dressing room. He has earned absolute trust from the players after the emotional survival campaign. But this very fact also creates pressure: if results do not improve significantly, he may be the first to go. The relationship between the coach and the new president will be a determining factor. From the perspective of someone who has followed Vietnamese football since the early days of professionalization, I see Thanh Hoa at a critical crossroads. Le Xuan Tuong's investment could elevate the club to new heights, or if unsustainable, could plunge them into an even worse crisis than last season. The match against SHB Da Nang will give us the first signals about the direction of the Thanh Hoa team. The stadium may be empty, but I can still hear the heartbeat of the match. The 2026 season taught me that silence is also a form of support. There are things that do not appear on the scoreboard, but they determine everything. For Thanh Hoa, the question is not where they will finish, but whether this investment is sustainable enough to build a long-term future. Busan is not the spotlight, but it taught me how to keep the rhythm. From thousands of kilometers away, I can still feel the excitement and anxiety intertwined in the hearts of Thanh Hoa fans. They have waited too long for a season where their team does not have to fight for survival. Will the dream of a high position come true? Only time and the matches ahead will answer that question.