Gan Hui penned the news that Shanghai Shenhua will face Beijing Guoan on the road this weekend, and the team's head coach Wu Jingui will personally take charge of the trip. Rumors have been swirling about Wu Jingui since he missed the two away games for some reason. Speculation has been rife that he could be facing dismissal and the Jiuzhi Group seems to be on the lookout for a new man at the helm.
Wu Jingui was unable to attend the last away match against Dalian Ren due to health issues. In that match, Shenhua defeated Dalian Ren 1-2, giving their opponents their first win of the season and helping Dalian Ren escape the relegation zone. However, Wu Jingui returned in the subsequent match between Shanghai Shenhua and Shenzhen at home, and the team managed to beat Shenzhen.
However, Wu Jingui was once again absent due to illness during the Wuhan Sanzhen game, a move that sparked much speculation. Especially after Shenhua's 0-5 defeat in the Shanghai derby with Harbour, fans expressed strong dissatisfaction with Wu Jingui's performance after the derby.
The Jiuzhi Group also seems to be considering the voice of the fans, perhaps shelving Wu Jingui and hiring a new coach. Shenhua's official statement on this is vague, adding to the doubts.
However, some fans and media are convinced that Wu Jingui is just absent due to illness, thus missing two consecutive away games. According to the latest report from Shanghai Today, Wu Jingui has recovered from his illness and will personally lead the team north for the weekend's Beijing-Shanghai match. By that time, all the rumors about him may not be broken.
