With 10 additions to the squad, China bid an early farewell to Qatar
World Cup
of the campaign, the team may tweak the lineup in the final round of the 12-team tournament, allowing the new generation of players to step up and challenge the veterans for positions. Meanwhile, will there be any changes to the coaching staff in the early rounds, including the coaches who traveled with the team to Japan? At this point, it appears that the coaching team will be fully involved in the final two rounds of the 12-team tournament in late March. Currently, China's head coach is Li Xiaopeng, supplemented by Pep, Chen Yang, Zheng Zhi, Gao Yao, Li Leilei (goalkeeper coach) and Wilk (fitness coach). Former international Sun Jihai is likely to return to the squad and follow the team to West Asia.
However, after the end of the 12-team tournament, players signed by the national team and various clubs will return to their respective camps as the professional league teams prepare for the new season in a tense atmosphere. For example, Chen Yang, who served as an assistant coach for the national soccer team, will return to Changchun Yatai as head coach after the 12-team tournament. Brazilian fitness coach Owen Wilk will also return to Shanghai Shenhua. Italian-born recovery coach Cotti will also return to his job at Shenzhen Salon.
