The Chinese soccer world has been in turmoil recently, since the former international footballer Li Tie was caught up in the investigation storm, many top executives of the Association of Football Associations have been exposed one after another, and even the chairman of the Association, Chen Xuyuan, has not escaped, and has been reduced to a "giant whale" on the soccer blacklist. In such a turbulent time, the Chinese men's soccer team is about to kick off a new period of preparation, the first task is to select a new coach!
According to Beijing Youth Daily and other domestic media, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) recently held a national soccer selection meeting. At the meeting, Serbian coach Yang Kovic was interviewed by a jury of soccer veterans, including Xu Genbao, Shen Xiangfu and Wei Kexing. The jury unanimously recognized Janković's coaching talent and believed that he is expected to become the new leader of the national team. Once the relevant procedures are completed, the FA may announce the news to the public!
Yang Kovic is currently in charge of China's U23 men's soccer team in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games. If the FA decides to invite him to coach the national team, he will have to resign from his U23 coaching position. The FA is reportedly planning to find a new coach for the U23 team so that Jankovic can devote himself to the national team. Until a new coach is in place, Jankovic will continue to command the U23s.
Challenges abound as Jankovic takes over the reins of the national team. Later this year and early next year, the World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup are about to begin, and these two events are crucial for Chinese fans. In the last qualifiers, the national football team experienced a coaching turnover, from Lippi to Li Tie to Li Xiaopeng, the results were not ideal, which led to their eventual dismissal. Now that the national soccer team is vacant, Jankovic has the courage to step forward.
Another reason for Yankovic to take over the national team may have to do with his personal salary package. Li Tie's high salary during his tenure was once a source of controversy, with an annual salary of up to 8 million yuan, far exceeding the income of international players under the Chinese salary limit. When this news came out, it aroused the dissatisfaction of many fans. According to Pei Li and other media sources, Yankovic's salary will not be disclosed to the public to avoid similar controversies. However, some fans speculate that if Jankovic joins the national team, his salary will not be lower than Li Tie's, which may be an important factor that prompted him to take over the national football team!
Under the leadership of Jankovic, can the national soccer team get out of the doldrums and out of the woods? Let's wait and see.
