FIFA rules V. League club has to pay Italian coach compensation after sacking

"I was waiting for FIFA's decision in the dispute between me and Thanh Hoa FC for a long time, and on February 2, the result was in," he told the media on Wednesday.

"I can gladly announce that I have won this case. All of the wrong things that they said about me must be taken back. The decision of FIFA has strengthened the fact that I'm serious and professional at work.

"Thanh Hoa will have to pay me a compensation fee after ending the contract on their own."

In June 2020 Thanh Hoa sacked Lopez after winning only one match and losing four in the V. League. They also failed to pay him any compensation though he had two and a half years to go on his contract.

Lopez said: "I wasn't shocked when they fired me. I was just surprised with them being unprofessional like that. They announced it to the media before telling me about the sacking."

FIFA has yet to make an official announcement about the case.

The 47-year-old coach said he would never return to Thanh Hoa, but had good words for Vietnam.

"I might come back to Vietnam if I can find a suitable club. Vietnamese football has so much potential and it can develop further. I love the country and the people."

Before coaching Thanh Hoa, Lopez had managed many academy squads for Italian clubs like Atalanta and ACF Fiorentina and clubs in Eastern Europe and Asia.