Recently, there has been a new direction in the selection of coaches for the national soccer team, which was originally selected from a wide range of coaches and is now focusing on the Super League's head coaches. Pedro, Jordy and Seo Jung-won have become the most sought-after candidates. Although the truth of the rumors is still doubtful, but according to the current analysis, they are undoubtedly a few strengths, at least worth as one of the options.
Pedro has been outspoken about his desire to coach the national team, and Seo Jung-won has recently publicly expressed his willingness to take on the challenge. Whether or not the Football Association has taken them into consideration, we'll leave that aside for now. Today, let's open our minds and explore: who is the best candidate?
In my opinion, Chengdu Rongcheng's skipper, Xu Zhengyuan, is undoubtedly the best of the three.
First of all, from the current situation of the national football team, Xu Zhengyuan's coaching style is highly compatible with the actual needs of the team.
Looking back at Chengdu Rongcheng's past seasons, the squad was mediocre, with many local players lacking experience in the Chinese Super League, and even many veterans who have not returned to the top league in years. The foreigners, mainly from the K-League, have no glamorous past, let alone the aura of the top five leagues. However, under the careful coaching of Xu Jung-won, the team has shown amazing fighting strength.
Compared to Pedro and Jordy, Xu Zhengyuan is clearly more experienced in coaching. Lippi, for example, was able to lead Guangzhou Evergrande to the AFC Champions League, but may not have been able to get Chengdu Rongcheng to the top of the Chinese Super League. Different coaches adapt to different teams, and Xu Zhengyuan's success with Chengdu Rongcheng is proof of his potential for the national team.
Secondly, Seo's familiarity with Asian soccer far exceeds that of the previous two candidates.
Given that the national football team's main opponent is an Asian team, a deep understanding of Asian soccer has become a must. Although Pedro and Jordy have coached in Europe, their understanding of Asian soccer is relatively limited. On the contrary, Xu Zhengyuan, from his playing days to his coaching career, has always been rooted in Asian soccer, and his advantage is obvious.
Furthermore, Xu Zhengyuan has a unique insight into player development.
Under his leadership, the Chengdu Rongcheng team has produced a number of outstanding players, such as veteran Liu Tao and young player Hu Hetao. This fully demonstrates Xu Zhengyuan's understanding of Chinese players and his unique coaching style.
In addition, in terms of communication with players, Xu Zhengyuan also has an advantage.
The similar cultural background is one of the major reasons why many Korean coaches have achieved remarkable results in Chinese soccer. The communication between Seo and his players has benefited from the similarities between the Chinese and Korean cultures, resulting in a more cohesive team.
Of course, Pedro and Jordy also have their own advantages, but in terms of the actual needs of the current national soccer team, Xu Zhengyuan is undoubtedly the best choice. If, as rumors suggest, the Football Association selects Xu Zhengyuan, I'm afraid Chengdu fans will be reluctant to let him go!
