Top job: The appointment of Mai Duc Chung as coach of the national team only needs to be rubber-stamped by the VFF next Monday. — File Photo

HA NOI — Mai Duc Chung has become the No 1 option for head coach of the national football team.

The Viet Nam Football Federation's (VFF) National Coaches Council on Tuesday officially made its final decision for the position that had been left empty since last December.

VFF leaders are expected to review their selection for approval on February 27.

In case of approval, Chung, in Brunei with the Under-19 team for the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup at present, will sign a two-year contract when he returns to the country. His salary has not been revealed, but rumour has it that it could be around VND120-150 million (US$5,700-7,100) per month.

Chung would reap benefits if Viet Nam could achieve good results at coming tournaments, the first one of which will be the Southeast Asian Football Championship – AFF Cup later this year.

After former coach Falko Goetz was fired, Chung became the favourite candidate for the position. The 61-year-old formerly worked as assistant for many foreign coaches in the past.

In 2008, Chung guided the U22 team to win the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia. He was also acting head coach of the U23 team who defeated Lebanon and Oman during the Beijing Olympic qualifiers in 2007. Chung was appointed head coach of the national women's team in 2003-05 when they won two gold medals at the 22nd and 23rd SEA Games.

The council also drew up an additional list of substitute candidates should Chung not sign the contract with the VFF.

Regarding the VFF general secretary position, which was abandoned last December, Chairman Nguyen Trong Hy said there were currently five nominees of which the top candidate will be announced at a federation meeting on February 27. — VNS