Lê Huỳnh Đức is a Vietnamese football manager and former footballer currently coaching SHB Đà Nẵng of the V-League. Đức is a former member of the Vietnam national football team, with whom he earned 60 caps, as well as being its top scorer. He became the first Vietnamese footballer to be signed to a club outside of Vietnam when he signed on for a year's stint with Chongqing Lifan. In 2009, he became both the youngest coach to win the V-League's "Best Coach of the Month" award, and the first coach to win the award in three consecutive months. His coaching style is best known for its toughness and discipline, which is credited with helping SHB Đà Nẵng emerge as champions in the 2009 V-League season.
Career
Player
Đức began his career as a professional football player in 1991, playing with the 7th Military Region's football club in Ho Chi Minh City. The following year he moved to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club, where he had his most productive stint, staying with the club until 2000. He also began playing with Vietnam's national football team during this time, joining in 1995 and playing through until 2000, returning in 2002 and 2004. He earned a record 60 caps with the national team, as well as being its top scorer. In 2001, he made Vietnamese football history by becoming the first Vietnamese footballer signed to play abroad when he joined Chongqing Lifan, a Chinese Super League club. He returned to Vietnam the following year, signing on with East Asian Bank Football Club for a two-year stay. In 2004, he made his final move to SHB Đà Nẵng, where he stayed until his promotion to manager in 2008.
Coach/Manager
Đức began coaching during his time with East Asian Bank football club, where he also worked as assistant manager. He continued in this role with Đà Nẵng F.C. until his promotion to Manager in 2008. The next year, he was nominated as assistant manager of Vietnam's national football team by Manager Calisto. Đức once again made history when he was named the V-League's Best Coach of the Month in March 2009, becoming the youngest coach to win the award. He received the same award in April and May of the same year, becoming the first coach ever to win the award for three consecutive months. His coaching is credited with helping SHB Đà Nẵng emerge as champions in the 2009 V-League and at the Vietnamese Cup in the same year.
