Hoang Anh Tuan, the new coach of Becamex Binh Duong, has signed pricey contracts and is seeking to include Luka Modric, a Croatian midfielder, in his starting lineup in an effort to lead the team to a V.League 1 championship run.

Three weeks ago, Tuan inked a three-year deal to coach the defending champions.

“Binh Duong invited me 20 years ago but I refused due to a variety of different reasons,” he stated.

“I used to manage Khanh Hoa and Hai Phong in the V-League 1, and I got a lot of offers, but I always thought about why they wanted me and if their goal was something I could achieve. None of them were a good fit for me, so I volunteered with the PVF and VFF youth teams since coaching the next generation of Vietnamese footballers was my method to make a difference on the national team.

I think the moment has come for me to collaborate with Binh Duong. Although factors like the players’ clubs, contract values, and, most importantly, their desire to play for Binh Duong will play a role, I still want to bring the top players here.

Just a few days into his tenure, he has strengthened the dream squad by adding Ngo Tung Quoc and Ho Tan Tai to the defense at Go Dau Stadium. These two will bolster Binh Duong’s defense, which let in 34 goals last year, as they were captains of Hanoi Police and HCM City, respectively.Tuan, who guided Vietnam to their maiden World Cup appearance in 2017 at the U20 World Cup in South Korea, was as effusive in his praise of his coaching staff, which would feature two international specialists as well as Jurgen Gede, the former technical director of the VFF.

“My crew and assistants are top-notch. I am particularly fortunate to have the backing of German Jurgen Gede. He spent six years in Vietnam working for the VFF and Viettel, so he is familiar with the country. According to Tuan, Binh Duong’s first team will benefit from his presence, and the young football training system will also be enhanced.

Back in the day, Binh Duong didn’t have a physical therapist. Now we have the assistance of the Bulgarian Lazarov and the care of our players by the Russian Targonskii, a fitness coach with extensive experience in both Europe and the United States.

There has been no official word from the four-time winners on their foreign players, but on July 23, Tuan shocked everyone by telling reporters that he wanted Modric on his team.

Despite his advanced age, I am currently interested in signing midfielder Luka Modric to this team. In addition to the obvious professional benefits, Tuan believes this contract will do wonders for Vietnamese football in terms of both promotion and motivation.

“Previously, Hai Phong signed famous Brazilian striker Denilson here to play, so why can’t Binh Duong!”

Modric, a midfielder for Real Madrid and captain of the Croatian national team, was born in 1985. For the European Championships in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, as well as the World Cup in 2014, 2018, and 2022, he graced the field.

As a player for Croatia, he won the Ballon d’Or, the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, and the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2018. His team also made it to the World Cup final that year.