Coach Henrique Calisto on March 5 signed a three-year contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) with a record salary and targets to fulfil during his term.

“When I agreed to be Vietnam ’s head coach for the second time in March 2008, we were 155 th in the FIFA ranking. Now the team is 114 th . This is a good result which saw the efforts of the VFF, myself, nationwide clubs and the national team members,” said Calisto.

“Life keeps going, so we cannot stop. I stay with the team because I want new successes. However, I cannot do anything without help from the players, the VFF and all of you,” he told reporters at the signing ceremony on March 5.

With the highest salary for a football coach in Vietnam , Calisto, who takes responsibility for both the national team and the Olympic team, must defend Vietnam ’s AFF Cup championship title and attempt to win gold at the next Southeast Asian Games. The VFF also hopes that Calisto would make Vietnam a name in Asian competitions.

General Secretary Tuan believes that Calisto would continue his successes with Vietnam .

“Defending the AFF Cup title, winning the 26 th SEA Games and creating a good image of Vietnam at international competitions are not easy tasks, because all of our rivals are strong. But based on our real strengths, I believe Calisto will still be a successful coach,” he said./.