Thanh Hóa Reborn: From the Brink of Collapse to a New Look in V-League 2026-2027

When the opening whistle sounded at Thanh Hóa Stadium on the afternoon of September 6, no one could be sure this team would survive in the V-League next season. But one thing is certain: the empty seats of last season have been filled with nostalgia and hope. Empty seats still echo with songs, because nostalgia is also a kind of supporter. Thanh Hóa FC enters the 2026-2027 season with a completely new look, from ownership, management, to the squad and even the jersey color. But behind the glamour of the departure day is a long story of survival, of unhealed wounds and unanswered questions. This is not just a new season, but a rebirth of a team that once stood on the brink of collapse. To understand the significance of this departure day, we must look back at the turbulent past of Thanh Hóa football. The 2026-2026 season was a nightmare for the team. They once had only 18 players at their disposal, wages were delayed for months, and the main sponsor, Dong A Company, left due to financial difficulties. The team almost had to return to the province, a dark prospect for fans. Yet, through willpower and unity, coach Mai Xuân Hợp and his students fought to the end. They finished the season with 25 points after 26 rounds, placing 11th out of 14 teams, just one place above the relegation zone. This survival miracle is considered one of the most extraordinary feats in V-League history, as the team played with a thin squad, lacking everything. Then, like a miracle, businessman Lê Xuân Tưởng and Thanh Hóa Football Development Joint Stock Company took over the team from the old one-member limited liability company. They mobilized many sponsorship sources from partners, retained key players such as captain goalkeeper Nguyễn Thanh Diệp, striker Lê Văn Thắng, defender Lục Xuân Hưng, and added 4 foreign players and one Vietnamese-origin Laotian player. The team registered 30 players, including 26 domestic players, 4 foreign players, and 1 Vietnamese-origin player. Their goal, according to coach Mai Xuân Hợp, is to "successfully stay in the league" – a modest but realistic goal. However, fan expectations are high, as they want to see a team that not only survives but also plays beautifully, worthy of the comeback. Looking at the squad structure, Thanh Hóa's strategy is clear: strengthening the midfield and attack. They registered two foreign midfielders, Abdurakhmanov and Lovric, along with two foreign strikers, Matheus Monteiro Martins and Guindo, plus Vietnamese-origin midfielder Thongkhamsavath. This shows they want to enhance creativity and goal-scoring, which were weaknesses last season. Last season, they scored only 28 goals in 26 matches, a rather low number. Adding foreign players with international experience is an effort to improve the attack. However, the preparation delay is a major drawback. Coach Mai Xuân Hợp admitted the team had only 3 weeks of preparation, while other teams usually have 6-8 weeks. This directly affects fitness and tactical cohesion, especially in the opening match against Đà Nẵng on September 6. Đà Nẵng is a team with technical play, and if Thanh Hóa is not ready, they could face many difficulties. Tactically, with limited resources and a survival goal, Thanh Hóa will almost certainly play defensive counter-attacking football, a pragmatic style that helped them survive last season. They will not dare to play high pressing or possession-based football, as that requires superior fitness and squad quality. Instead, they will play with a low block, waiting for opponent mistakes and exploiting the speed of foreign players up front. Retaining key players like goalkeeper Thanh Diệp and center-back Lục Xuân Hưng provides a solid foundation for the defense. However, reliance on the captain goalkeeper is a risk, as if he gets injured or loses form, the defense will expose many gaps. Additionally, using two foreign strikers simultaneously may not be feasible due to foreign player quotas on the pitch, so rotation is likely. Financially, the transition from a one-member LLC to a joint stock company is a positive signal. The joint stock model with multiple shareholders and diverse sponsorship sources helps spread risk, avoiding dependence on a single owner as before. However, the sustainability of this model has yet to be tested. Vietnamese football history has seen many provincial teams survive thanks to a local businessman, but also many collapse when that businessman withdraws. The question is whether the coalition of sponsors mobilized by Mr. Lê Xuân Tưởng is strong enough and lasting enough to maintain the team's operations. Additionally, the wage arrears from last season remain a potential burden. Players who endured delayed wages may leave or cause unnecessary disputes if not resolved thoroughly. Financial transparency will be key to retaining players and building trust. Another notable point is that coach Mai Xuân Hợp is registered as "Technical Director" instead of "Head Coach". This suggests a coaching license issue. According to VFF regulations, V-League head coaches must hold an AFC Pro Diploma. If Mr. Hợp lacks this credential, the team must register a licensed figurehead as head coach, while Hợp effectively leads the team. This is a management loophole that could be scrutinized by VFF, and if discovered, the team could be fined or forced to change. However, it could also be a legitimate internal arrangement, if Hợp has the license but is registered under a different title for some reason. Either way, this is a point to monitor. If this issue comes to light, it could cause instability within the team, affecting match spirit. Moreover, youth development is a bright spot. Thanh Hóa FC is committed to investing in youth training, which not only provides a steady stream of players at low cost but also a long-term strategy. Last season, they used many young players, and some performed well. Combining the experience of veterans with the enthusiasm of young players can create a cohesive unit. However, the lack of experience of young players in high-pressure matches could be a weakness. Coach Mai Xuân Hợp needs to find the right balance. Many will look at the preparation delay and think Thanh Hóa will struggle early in the season. But there is a contrarian view: this delay could be an opportunity. As other teams have played and revealed weaknesses, Thanh Hóa can learn and adjust. Moreover, with a new squad, having less preparation time might make them play simpler, more pragmatic football, avoiding unnecessary complexity. What matters is the fighting spirit of the players, who have overcome financial hardship to survive. Their cohesion and loyalty are invaluable assets that not every team has. They are used to playing under pressure, and that can help them overcome the initial difficult phase. Another contrarian point is the registration of the coach as Technical Director. Instead of seeing it as a loophole, it could be seen as a protective strategy. If the team performs poorly, pressure falls on the nominal head coach, while Hợp can stand aside to adjust. This creates a buffer for Hợp, who has contributed so much to the team. However, this could also lead to ambiguity in decision-making, as players may not know who holds real power. This ambiguity could lead to tactical inconsistency, and if the team struggles, it could become a major issue. Additionally, fan expectations can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they motivate players. On the other, they create unnecessary pressure. If the team does not get good results in the first few matches, disappointment could spread and affect the whole team's morale. Coach Mai Xuân Hợp needs to manage the players' psychology well, helping them focus on each match rather than distant goals. The ownership change is not just a financial transaction but a cultural shift. Under Dong A, the team had its own identity, but also associated with difficulties. With the new joint stock company, there may be changes in management, communication, and treatment of players. It is crucial that the new leadership respects the core values of the team while creating a more professional environment. Players need to feel secure about their future, and fans need to see long-term commitment. Looking at other teams, we can draw many lessons. For example, Hải Phòng FC went through a financial crisis but recovered thanks to local government support and businesses. Bình Dương FC also had a golden period but declined due to lack of proper investment. Thanh Hóa needs to learn from these successes and failures. Sustainability does not come from one season but from a long-term strategy. Investing in youth training, building infrastructure, and creating a strong brand are important factors. Another issue is the match schedule. The V-League 2026-2027 will start in September, instead of February as before. This could be due to changes in the international calendar or other reasons. For Thanh Hóa, having less preparation time is a disadvantage, but they have no choice. They need to adapt quickly to the new schedule and ensure players have enough fitness for the whole season. I remember a loyal fan of Thanh Hóa, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Ba, 70 years old, who has followed the team since its early days. He said that during the crisis season, he still went to the stadium every week, even though the team lost consecutively. He said: "I don't need them to win, I just need them to fight." That phrase has become a symbol of the spirit of Thanh Hóa fans. And now, with the team having a new look, Mr. Ba hopes the players will continue to fight with that spirit. The support of fans like Mr. Ba is a tremendous source of strength, and it also reminds us that football is not just about results, but about love and loyalty. The pitch never betrays anyone; people just forget that it also knows how to embrace. Thanh Hóa is being embraced by the pitch after a stormy year. But is that embrace warm enough to keep them in the V-League? The answer lies within themselves. Can they turn this comeback into a fairy tale, or is it just a postponement of fate? Let's wait and see. Football is never in a hurry; it only waits for those patient enough to understand. And for Thanh Hóa, patience is what they have the most of.