Lê Thụy Hải resigned as technical director of Thanh Hóa yesterday following his teams 2-2 draw with Sài Gòn FC in the 21st round of the V.League 1 on Wednesday.

Thanh Hóa’s poor form has caused dissatisfaction among board members, with defeats to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and Sông Lam Nghệ An particular jarring. However, Thanh Hóa claimed Hải stepped due to health concerns.

70-year-old Hải coached Thanh Hóa during the 2001-03 seasons in the first division and then returned for the 2010-11 season, when the team were in the national premier league.

Thanh Hóa finished third in the 2014-15 season, under young coach Hoàng Thanh Tùng.

Currently, the team is fifth in the table with 34 points. Hải Phòng and SHB Đà Nẵng lead with 40 points and 37 points, respectively.

On Sunday, Thanh Hóa will face Hải Phòng at Lạch Tray Stadium in the northern port city of Hải Phòng. The match will be officiated by Japanese FIFA-level referee Takuto Okabe

Okabe, 35, began his career in 2006. He has refereed in the J.League 1, Chinese Super League and the Australian A-League