Ivan's renewal as National Football League boss: controversy and expectations go hand in hand
As Shandong Jinan welcomed Wuhan Sanzhen at home in the Chinese Super League last weekend, one figure in the stands sparked heated debate - that of national soccer coach Ivan. The recent defeat of the national soccer team in the 18-team tournament as well as the defeat of Saudi Arabia at home made Ivan's coaching career appear to be in jeopardy. However, the latest news reveals that Ivan will stay on and continue to lead the national soccer team to the World Cup, a decision that brings a ray of hope for Chinese soccer.
In the 26th round of the Chinese Super League match between Taishan and Sanzhen, Ivankovic was present to watch the match, and his retention has been finalized. This is Ivan's first public appearance after the battle of Saudi Arabia, which also confirms that he will continue to take charge of the national football team to launch the World Cup.
Facing the loss of Saudi Arabia, Ivan's situation became quite embarrassing, the media and fans have called for his dismissal, but Ivan eventually stayed on, which is undoubtedly disappointing. In fact, the performance of the Chinese men's soccer team seems to have little to do with the choice of coach. Compared to Lippi, Ivan appeared to lack a firm attitude. The main reason for him to stay may be to get the liquidated damages, while the FA can only maintain the status quo due to financial problems, which is undoubtedly adding insult to injury for Chinese soccer.
During the period when the national soccer team was looking for a new coach, Ivan actively contacted the Chinese men's soccer team. His agent even said that Ivan is confident to lead the team to break into the World Cup. Despite the increase in the number of World Cup places to 8.5, the Chinese men's soccer team is still relatively weak in Asia, and its overall strength is like Confucius moving - all books (lose). Being able to enter the 18-team tournament is entirely due to former coach Jankovic.
Today, Ivan holds a liquidated damages clause and is indifferent to the FA, even exuding negativity. He is in no hurry to wait for the FA to sack him for the liquidated damages. In the meantime, the FA is in a bad financial situation and has to tough it out. A group of people who are paid by the state but do not do any real work, if this continues, the corruption problem will become more and more serious.
