In the group stage of the Asian Cup, the national team's performance was eventful: zero wins, one loss and two draws made the team say goodbye to the tournament early and set a record for the worst performance in history. Against this backdrop, a change of manager Yankovic seemed a foregone conclusion. When the national team returned to their home country, Jankovic did not return with the team, but chose to return to Serbia to recuperate, a move that seemed to hint at the management's attitude towards him.
Sacking Jankovic may not seem too difficult - after all, he didn't lead the team to the group stage of the Asian Cup - so there's little pressure to pay compensation, which is certainly good news for the FA. Considering that Jankovic's annual salary is only €1.2 million, it is likely that the new coach's salary cap will not exceed that figure. Therefore, I'm afraid that famous coaches like Mourinho, Klopp and Xavi will only become a joke, and their joining will be almost impossible.
The national team has tournament commitments in March, with the two World Cup matches against Singapore being crucial and we are imperative to get six points. Failure to win the previous match against Thailand will make the outcome of this tournament a lot less fruitful. Therefore, the selection of the manager must be swift and decisive, any hesitation may adversely affect the team or even be a wrong choice for the development of the national football team. In this context, the leaders of the Football Association are both concerned and agonized over the issue of selecting a manager, and it is understood that after the defeat in Qatar, Song Kai immediately led the team to return to the headquarters base to discuss countermeasures.
Based on the current situation and general predictions, the selection of an interim head coach is more likely. Therefore, the selection of a local coach seems to be an inevitable choice. Since it is only a temporary response, there is no need to be too harsh, the key is to identify a suitable coach as soon as possible to ensure the correct tactical arrangements. It is reported that Zheng Zhi, who worked with Jankovic, could be the favorite. As a former national team captain, it would be a viable option for him to pick up the coaching whip again and continue to play for his country.
Zheng has a wealth of experience and despite a dip in performance during his time with the national team, the number of games he played on the field and the rigor with which he held himself accountable ensured his reliability in the professional arena. After retiring from the game, he also obtained a coaching qualification, which nominally suits him perfectly. His interest in the Chinese soccer scene and his love for the game make him a worthy choice. After all, he has led Evergrande to the top of Asia and won the titles of Local Footballer of the Year and Asian Footballer of the Year, and he is full of confidence.
In Chinese soccer, Zheng Zhi has shown his "want to be good" attitude. His children are learning and he himself is trying to adapt to his new role, which is his strength. If he becomes the coach, both strict management and professionalism will be guaranteed. The players are bound to give their full support to his arrangements and deployments.
However, Zheng Zhi's temper and lack of experience could be a major obstacle. He previously had an argument with a fan on the sidelines and his angry look became a classic scene. If Zheng Zhi does become a head coach, this situation is best avoided. Zheng Zhi needs to learn to control his emotions.
In addition to Zheng Zhi, Xie Hui, Yang Chen and Fan Zhiyi have also been mentioned as candidates for national team manager. Although they have not made a statement yet, as former international players, they have responsibilities and missions. If invited, they are likely to accept. However, these players are still novices as head coaches, their room for development and value is yet to be explored, and the national team cannot afford too many failures. After the defeat in Qatar, many began to worry about whether the match against Singapore would be a smooth win. This is not an empty rumor, but a concern based on reality.
