Over the past three and a half years, Kreis has provided crucial technical assistance to our national soccer team, especially at all levels. Last year, for example, he accompanied the national soccer team almost all the way to the Qatar World Qualifier. In October last year, even while in quarantine in Suzhou, he participated remotely in the interviews for the selection of the national women's soccer team. Chinese colleagues familiar with him once exclaimed, "This old gentleman is not only professional, but also full of enthusiasm and sincerity, and as long as he is able, he will always do his best to help our country's soccer."
However, Kreis was unable to travel with the team to Japan and Vietnam away from home earlier this year due to the outbreak and Japan's restriction on the number of entries for visiting teams to the Top 12 tournament. The national football team ended up missing out on the Qatar World Cup finals round two rounds early after a historic defeat to Vietnam. Kreis did not travel with the team for the last four rounds of the Round of 12 after the team went through a change of manager and other changes late last year.
In fact, the national soccer team no longer has a major competition to prepare for this year after its exit from the Round of 12. Krebs' technical support work for the national men's soccer team has come to an end for the time being.
Of course, as the technical director of the NFA, Kreis does much more than that. Given his outstanding performance over the past three-plus years, the NFF was also interested in renewing his employment. However, Kreis chose to forego the renewal of his contract due to personal health and family reasons.
It is reported that Kreis' four-year working contract with the NFF was supposed to end at the end of the year. But before that, the veteran had not been able to return to China for more than two years since his return in the spring and summer of 2020. His dedication has deeply impressed his colleagues at the NFF, so the association agreed to his request to leave the technical director position early from a humanistic perspective.
It is worth noting that during his time at the NFF, Kreis also received high-paying offers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other soccer powerhouses, but he built deep partnerships and friendships through his joint efforts and life with his Chinese colleagues. For his time in China, Kreis is equally contented. He has also shown a hint of reluctance for our country's soccer.
Who will replace Kreis after his confirmed departure? Or will the NFF continue to hire a foreign technical director? No clear official answer has been given yet.
