Ivankovic coaching whip of the national football team, it is not easy. In an interview, Ivan revealed a little-known detail: when signing the agreement with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the association forced a harsh rider - if Ivan failed to lead the team to win a specified number of matches or advance to the 18th round of the World Cup qualifying tournament, he would face the fate of being dismissed as the scapegoat on the coaching bench of the national football team. Nonetheless, Ivan weighed the pros and cons and accepted the condition to ensure a smooth transition into the national team.
Ivan said: "I am ready to share the risk with all the players, because without risk, how can there be glory? I believe that the Chinese team has unlimited potential and we have a chance to overcome all the difficulties in front of us and advance to the World Cup. As a coach, I should not rely on the shelter of a contract, but on match results and the excellence of my own work to prove myself."
However, the current qualification situation for the Chinese men's soccer team is not optimistic. In order to secure a place in the top 18, we must beat Thailand in the World Qualifier in June. In the event of a draw or defeat, the Chinese soccer team will likely be eliminated and relegated to the sidelines of the World Cup once again. For Ivankovic, it is possible that he will have to face resignation just four months after taking over as coach of the national soccer team, making him the shortest-serving national team manager in nearly 20 years!
