In the midway rest stage of the league, Zhang Dong and his coaching team quickly reached a consensus and decisively brought in powerhouse players such as Peng Xinli, Feng Jin and Sharich. In the second half of the season, the team was like a tiger descending from the mountain, successfully relegated three rounds ahead of schedule, and created the best record in the last four of the FA Cup in 21 years.
The decisiveness of signing in the interval, the introduction of Zhang Wei and Xu Dong at the beginning of the season, and the insistence on signing Liu Junshuai, all show Zhang Dong's unique vision. This season, despite the relegation pressure on the team, many players have been selected as part of the official squad of the Chinese Super League. In the words of the players and the media, he is a "professional with a deep understanding of soccer".
As the club's general manager, Zhang Dong not only focuses on the team's competitive performance, but also pays more attention to the club's brand culture and management. Since taking office, he has been committed to creating a humanistic atmosphere and conveying a sense of city honor. He hopes that the fans will have a strong sense of belonging to the club and that positive energy will be transmitted through soccer.
In the new season, the team has an impressive home record, with 7 wins and 3 draws behind them, and the home culture is equally thriving. Under Zhang Dong's careful planning, there is a special photo area for carding before each match, and beer and food are provided in the stadium. In the summer, he watched the Chinese Super League with a glass of beer in hand, a scene that once made foreign fans envious.
During the game, the atmosphere was brought to a climax with TIFO displays in the stands, home game book puzzles, big screen surrounds, halftime Kisstime activities, player post-game interactions, light shows and music shows. According to statistics, nearly 270,000 fans flocked to Youth Stadium to cheer on the Manatees throughout the season.
Zhang Dong led the club to achieve remarkable results in commercial operations as well, successfully signing more than 10 partners in cooperation negotiations, including well-known companies such as Little Red Tree, Drinking Lotus, City Transportation Holding and Qingdao Foods. Throughout the season, the club assisted in the completion of promotional activities and caddie competitions for the official sponsors of the Chinese Super League.
Zhang Dong emphasizes the importance of youth training for the club's long-term development and focuses on ladder construction. This year, he has personally selected a number of outstanding youth coaches, such as Xing Dong, the youngest AFC A-level coach in the country. All of these coaches come from Hainiu youth training, reflecting the concept of inheritance emphasized by Zhang Dong. Liu Leyang, who was invited back by Zhang Dong to guide the youth training after his retirement, has trained a number of outstanding coaches and players.
In the 2023 season, Hainiu's teams at all levels have achieved great results: U9 team won the "Poseidon Cup" National Youth Football Tournament; U11 team won the Qingdao Regional Championship; U13 and U15 teams were the runners-up; and U17 and U19 teams were promoted to the Top 16 and Top 24 of the National Football Tournament. Many members of the team were selected for the national training team.
Zhang Dong also suggested that young players such as Li Suda and Wang Tao be loaned out to Chinese first and second division teams to increase their professional playing experience. Li Suda became a starter for Jinan Xingzhou this season, making 25 appearances, including 23 starts.
At the end of the season, Zhang Dong is approaching his 36th birthday, but he still has a long way to go. Summarizing and reviewing, accessing the new season, signing and renewing contracts, negotiating coaches' and players' contracts, as well as brand building and business opening plans for the next season, all require him to make accurate judgments in complex matters with professional vision and courage.
