As the season comes to an end, the Chinese Super League, League One, League Two and the FA Cup have all come to a close, with champions and promoted teams settling in. It may seem like the year's journey in Chinese soccer has come to a successful end, but the plans and prospects for the new season are still in the mist, with three outstanding events hovering like ghosts.
Who will steer the oars?
Any organization and team needs a soul leader. The man at the helm of Chinese soccer is undoubtedly Chen Xuyuan, the president of the Football Association (FA). Before joining the federation, Chen Xuyuan already had a strong track record in the soccer world. He was at the helm of Shanghai Harbour Club, which won the Chinese Super League title at a cost of 12 billion dollars, so it was only natural for him to join the federation.
After taking office, he has been fruitful. He has pushed for a neutral name, advocated public-spirited soccer, and helped slim down Chinese soccer. Nearly 40 professional soccer clubs were dissolved, including veteran clubs such as Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu and Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic. He also has a wealth of experience in hiring people, being a former secretary general of a soccer club with a background as a soccer agent. And his hand-picked Li Tie was ultimately not spared, although he insisted on carrying the goods during his coaching stint with the national soccer team.
During the World Qualifier, Chen Xuyuan prepared for the game with all his might and managed to break through to the Top 40. On a whim, he brought a dance to the team in the locker room that became a timeless classic.
The rise and fall of the team, the leadership is crucial. Chen Xuyuan has been in the Football Association for four years, the future of Chinese soccer can continue to move forward, there are many suspense. We, the ordinary fans, can only wait and see what happens.
However, I still can't help but say: Chairman Chen, after four years of hard work, it's time to go home and recuperate.
But whether we can get what we want is out of our hands.
The team's survival is uncertain?
The domestic professional league has had a rocky season. At the beginning of the season, Chongqing Two Rivers Athletic announced its dissolution.
During the course of the season, a number of teams were exposed to wage arrears, Wuhan Changjiang, Hebei, Shanghai Shenhua and other Chinese Super League teams were also affected, and Hebei even ended the season with -3 points, a record in the Chinese Super League. Shenzhen, Beijing Guoan, and even Shandong Taishan are all facing wage crises.
According to domestic media reports, Wuhan Changjiang, Hebei and Shenzhen are at risk of dissolution. Li Weifeng is leading Guangzhou to relegation, but the situation is grim.
In the new season, the Chinese Super League may not be able to gather 18 teams, or even 16 teams. Do China's first division teams continue to fill the void? Or do they just slim down?
With 16 teams in the Chinese Super League, this is still an expansion that was achieved during Chen Xuyuan's tenure. If we return to the status quo ante, we don't even know who to challenge.
The FA has also gone to great lengths to save these struggling clubs. Initially asking the Furniture and Music Department to resolve all historical wage arrears by December 31, 2022, the final deadline was postponed to January 31, 2023, with the transfer window postponed accordingly.
Even so, it is still unknown whether these clubs, which are in arrears, will eventually survive the winter.
Who will coach the National Football League?
If you want to select the most obscure head coach in the history of Chinese men's soccer, Li Xiaopeng must be the favorite. Li Tie stepped down, Li Xiaopeng took over the baton and became a target.
After the 12 strong match, Li Xiaopeng seems to disappear from public view, the major media is also difficult to see his news, which is rare.
After the World Cup in Qatar, domestic media have revealed that the national soccer team will be looking for a new foreign coach.
The choice of a foreign coach is certainly a wise one. On a competitive level, no one is qualified to lead the national soccer team in Asian tournaments. Even though Xie Hui achieved some successes during his coaching stint with Dalian People, he lacks the experience to lead the team in the Asian tournament.
Surprisingly, some domestic media outlets have reported that the national soccer team is having trouble choosing a foreign coach because the federation is already strapped for cash.
Initially, the adjustment fee, which was measured in 100 million dollars, was not refunded to the clubs. Only a portion of the fees paid by the Asian Cup cities was eventually refunded. The destination of the FA's funds is a mystery.
In 2023, the Chinese men's national team has a world qualifier and the national Olympic team has Asian Games duties. Whether or not they can continue to have Li Xiaopeng and Jankovic continue to lead the team is a concern.
If the above three things are not resolved in time, Chinese soccer, especially Chinese men's soccer, will continue to be in trouble in 2023.
Some people may say, Chief, there is one more thing, and that is, how many big fish can be unearthed as a result of the final outcome of the Li Tie case?
Things like digging for big fish generally require patience.
Finally, I wish Chinese soccer to get out of the doldrums and out of the quagmire in the new year, and to revitalize its spirit and set sail again!
