Ninh Bình makes a bold move with an unprecedented contract in V.League

Head coach Chu Đình Nghiêm is about to become a member of Ninh Bình FC, receiving an annual remuneration of more than 2 billion VND and contract clauses that are uncommon in V.League.

The latest developments from Ninh Bình FC indicate that the ancient capital team is preparing to enter a phase of strong "upgrades" in both squad and professional staff. After parting ways with Technical Director Vũ Tiến Thành, Ninh Bình is reported to have reached an agreement with Chu Đình Nghiêm, offering one of the highest compensation packages in Vietnamese football today.

According to multiple sources, the 1972-born strategist will receive a monthly salary of approximately 120 million VND when joining the club owned by businessman Thụy. Additionally, he will get a signing bonus of up to 1.2 billion VND per season. Assuming an average season lasts about 9 months, the total income of Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm at Ninh Bình is estimated to exceed 2.2 billion VND per year, not including performance bonuses and match victory rewards.

Not only is the deal notable for its high earnings, but the contract between the two parties also includes a rare special clause in Vietnamese football. Specifically, if Ninh Bình unilaterally terminates the contract before its expiry, the club must still pay the full salary and signing bonus for the remaining duration of the 3-year contract. While most V.League clubs typically compensate only 1-2 months of salary when replacing a coach, this commitment is seen as a very strong move from the ancient capital team.

This move shows that Ninh Bình is not just looking to create a temporary buzz after promotion to V.League. The club is aiming for a long-term development strategy, with ambitions to build a real powerhouse in Vietnamese football. Spending heavily on Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm is considered a crucial step to establish a stable professional foundation and enhance competitiveness both domestically and in continental competitions in the future.

Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm is expected to start his new role on May 26 after officially parting ways with Hải Phòng. Notably, the Port City club agreed to release the remaining five contracts without demanding compensation. Chairman Văn Trần Hoàn also stated that this is a graceful farewell after a five-year journey full of memorable achievements by the Thanh Hóa-born tactician.

In his coaching career, Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm won the V.League title with Hà Nội FC and made a strong impression while leading Hải Phòng with an energetic playing style, despite not having many big-name stars. With investments reportedly reaching hundreds of billions of VND in recent times, Ninh Bình is showing enormous ambition. The arrival of Mr. Nghiêm is expected to help the ancient capital team refine its tactical identity and become a new contender in the power struggle of V.League.