With the arrival of the Super League tournament break, many teams have gathered to start the winter preparation mode, and the upcoming transfer window is undoubtedly a key moment for teams to strengthen their lineups.
However, before the signing of new recruits, many teams have also seen changes in their coaching staff. For example, Shanghai Seaport, the dominant team in the Chinese Super League this season, has seen the dismissal of its head coach Javier. The reason why Seaport discarded the champion coach was because the team failed to achieve the goal of entering the AFC Champions League after defeating Baton Rouge during the period of Harvill's leadership. However, it seems that this is not unique to Seaport, as other teams are also looking for coaching changes.
According to Tianjin's Tonight newspaper, Qingdao Hainiu will also see a coaching change, with current coach Antonio failing to renew his contract after failing to meet the club's expectations. The report states, "Spanish coach Antonio failed to gain recognition after helping the team secure relegation, and neither side has signed a contract extension. Although Antonio had led the team to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, the club expected more from him."
According to Tonight News, Antonio is leaving Qingdao Hainiu. In order to improve the competitiveness of the team, Qingdao Hainiu is seeking a more powerful coach. This suggests that their goal for the new season is no longer to avoid relegation, but to try to make a name for themselves in the Chinese Super League.
Looking back at Qingdao Hainiu's performance this season, they only collected 28 points and ranked 13th in the table, only one step away from the relegation zone. Antonio's coaching career doesn't seem to be going well. He was Javier's assistant at Henan, and after Javier left midway through the season, Antonio took over. However, his performance at Qingdao Hainiu did not meet expectations, so his dismissal seemed to be expected.
Among Antonio's possible successors, there is no one with a higher voice than former national soccer coach Li Xiaopeng. As the best coach in the Chinese Super League for two years, Li Xiaopeng has not only coached top teams like Shandong Taishan, but is also the only local coach who has coached both the Chinese men's soccer team and the Chinese women's soccer team. Li Xiaopeng's coaching ability needs no elaboration.
In addition, Qingdao native Li Xiaopeng has excellent influence in Shandong soccer and even Chinese football. If he can coach Qingdao Hainiu, it will not only bring convenience to the team, but also attract more fans with Li Xiaopeng's connections. After all, the newly promoted Qingdao West Coast poses a challenge to Qingdao Hainiu.
Of course, apart from Li Xiaopeng, another alternative candidate is Shandong soccer's flagship Cebu Maozhen. Su Maozhen has been the head of Qingdao Hainiu's Chinese coaching staff this season and knows the team like the back of his hand. He has a wealth of coaching experience having coached at Qingdao Hainiu, Qingdao Zhongneng, Beijing Sport University and China Youth Coach. Therefore, Cebu is also capable of leading Qingdao Hainiu to scale new heights. What do you think of this scenario? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!
