Liaoning Ironmen's managerial change fiasco: Coach Gao Mingqi steps down, team still welcomes challenges
Liaoning Ironmen coach Gao Mingqi, a former team leader, was told along with Duan Xin at a pre-match conference against Dalian Yingbo that their coaching careers had come to an end at Liaoning Ironmen. In the first five rounds of the campaign, Liaoning Ironmen only managed to pick up one win, two draws and two defeats, which was certainly a heavy blow for the ambitious team. However, after the managerial change, Liaoning Ironmen didn't stop the decline on the road against Dalian Barracuda Bay Stadium, but struggled to win their second victory in the league against Jiangxi Lushan. The final whistle of the match was blown and a fourth coaching figure had appeared on the stage of the China First Division League.
Jiangxi Lushan coach, Li Shuai, also suffered the fate of dismissal after the victory of Liaoning Ironmen. His team finished at the bottom of the league with only two draws and five losses in the first seven rounds of matches. After Li Shuai's departure, former Xi'an Junwolf coach Wang Bo quickly took over.
Foshan Southern Lions' coach, Anthony Chi, on the other hand, announced his departure early this morning. He led the team to five draws and two losses in the first seven rounds of matches, failing to win a single game. After a four-goal defeat at home to Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, a parting of the ways between Antonic and Foshan Southern Lions seems inevitable.
New coach Jangovic on board as Dalian Yingbo challenges Shijiazhuang Kung Fu
In the eighth round of matches, Dalian Yingbo will embark on a trip to Shijiazhuang to challenge Shijiazhuang Kungfu, coached by former Dalian Shide star Jan Govich. Since Jangovic took over the team, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu has shown significant improvement with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. In Shijiazhuang, Dalian Shide teammates An Qi and Liu Cheng have joined Jangovic's coaching staff, while familiar faces such as Nan Yunqi, Song Zhiwei and Liu Le are also in the lineup.
Facing a host of old Dalian soccer acquaintances, Dalian Imbo will have to go all out to try to make it three wins in a row on the road and add another feather to the team's cap for the season!
