Former Liverpool striker Harry Kewell appointed head coach of Hanoi FC
The arrival of Harry Kewell, a renowned Premier League figure and World Cup player, proves Hanoi FC’s growing ambition and international appeal. It represents the club’s efforts to build a modern identity and expand its presence across Asia.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi FC today (October 4) appointed former Liverpool and Australia striker Harry Kewell as the club’s head coach, aiming to elevate its performance and achieve targets in both domestic and international competitions.
Kewell, 48, earned 56 caps for the Australian national team, scoring 17 goals and appearing at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Former Liverpool and Leeds United player Harry Kewell will debut as Hanoi FC's new head coach on October 18 as the club plays against Ninh Binh at its home pitch in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi FC
At the club level, he was an English Premier League star with Leeds United and Liverpool in the 2000s. Kewell was part of Liverpool’s 2004–2005 UEFA Champions League-winning squad and the FA Cup-winning team in the 2005–2006 season.
After retiring at 36 with Melbourne Heart in 2014, Kewell began his coaching career in 2017. He managed several English clubs, including Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet.
In 2022, he joined Scottish club Celtic as assistant to head coach Angel Postecoglou. In early 2024, Kewell returned to Asia as head coach of Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos. Under his leadership, Yokohama finished runners-up in the 2023–2024 AFC Champions League.
The arrival of Harry Kewell, a renowned Premier League figure and World Cup player, proves Hanoi FC’s growing ambition and international appeal. It represents the club’s efforts to build a modern identity and expand its presence across Asia.
“The appointment of coach Harry Kewell sends a strong message about our long-term development direction and marks the beginning of a new era for us,” the club said in a press release.
“With his extensive experience in Europe as both a player and coach, Harry Kewell is expected to bring fresh energy and help raise Hanoi FC’s level in the pursuit of domestic success and continental ambitions,” the club added.
As the league is currently on break for Vietnam’s national team during the October FIFA Days, Kewell will make his debut when Hanoi hosts Ninh Binh in Round 7 of the V-League on October 18 at Hang Day Stadium.
After six rounds, Hanoi FC currently ranks sixth in the 2025–2026 V-League with eight points after two wins, two draws and two losses. Following a poor start to the season, the club parted ways with Japanese coach Makoto Teguramori and appointed technical director Yusuke Adachi as interim head coach.
With Kewell’s official appointment, coach Adachi will return to his previous position as technical director.
Hanoi FC has won six V-League championships in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022; three National Cup titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022; and five National Super Cup trophies in 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
