With the end of the season, the two top leagues in Chinese soccer - the Chinese Super League and the Chinese League A - have written a new chapter in their history. It is noteworthy that in recent years, the championship coaching whip often falls into the hands of a Spanish manager in the Chinese Super League; the same trend is also seen in the Chinese League A. This phenomenon seems to indicate the dominance of Spanish pass-and-control soccer in the Chinese professional league. This phenomenon seems to indicate that the dominance of Spanish passing soccer in the Chinese professional league is becoming more and more significant, and more and more Chinese clubs are beginning to favor Spanish coaches.
Shanghai Harbour came out on top of the Chinese Super League this season, winning the title. Despite the controversy surrounding Spanish head coach Javier, he led the team to their first league title and a new peak in his career. It is worth mentioning that Shanghai Seaport managed to poach Javier from Henan at the beginning of the season, a move that proves Javier's high popularity in Chinese soccer.
Sichuan Jiuniu won the title in this season's Central League, and its head coach is also a Spaniard, Jesús Tato. The 40-year-old coach was a member of the La Masia youth training camp and a former disciple of Javier. This season, Tato led Sichuan Jiuniu to the title with an eight-point lead over the second-place team, and showed remarkable coaching ability by winning five of their 22 matches against the second-place team.
Last year, the titles of the Chinese Super League and the Chinese League A were also won by Spanish coaches. Pedro led Wuhan Three Town to the Super League title, while the Central League title went to Kunshan coach Sarko. It is worth mentioning that Sarko joined Henan this season. In addition, the 2021 season's Central League title was also won by Wuhan Sanzhen coached by Pedro.
In the past 3 Chinese League 1 seasons and 2 Chinese Super League seasons, the championship coaching whip has almost always been held by Spanish coaches. The head coach of Zhejiang, which is ranked 3rd in this season's Chinese Super League, is also a Spaniard, Jordi. In recent years, more and more Spanish coaches have made remarkable achievements in Chinese soccer, and most of them are good at using pass-and-control soccer tactics.
