In a Feb. 6 news report, Beijing Youth Daily disclosed an exclusive news about the selection of the national soccer team's coaches, pointing out that the Korean coach Xu Jung-won of Chengdu and the Spanish coach Jordi of Zhejiang were not the ideal candidates in the FA's mind.
Meanwhile, the Chinese men's soccer team as well as the Chinese men's Asian Games team are scheduled to depart for New Zealand at the end of the month for two warm-up matches. In view of the FA's eagerness to fill the coaching vacancy, the training and warm-up tasks in March will be temporarily shared by current coach Li Xiaopeng and Yang Kovic, the current coach of the Chinese men's Asian Games, who may even join hands to take charge of the coaching whip.
Although domestic media had reported that Xu Zhengyuan and Qiaodi were also among the candidates of the FA, Beijing Youth Daily exclusively revealed that the two Chinese Super League coaches did not enter the FA's consideration list.
The article points out that no matter whether Li Xiaopeng and Yang Kovic will eventually be singled out, or the two will work side by side, they may play the role of "temporary coach" in the March tournament. As to whether the national soccer team will hire foreign coaches in the future, as well as when to start the selection of new coaches, the Football Association will be based on the team's preparation for the March tournament comprehensive consideration.
