In this year's China Youth Football Tournament, the Luneng U17 Red Team, coached by Han Peng, won the top spot in the U19 category, despite having an incomplete squad. Now, the team is gearing up for the finals. Recently, they have been playing warm-up matches against Central League and Central B teams.
Soccer Magazine Interview: As a former talent of Luneng Football School, what are Han Peng's feelings when he returns to coach at his alma mater?
Han Peng replied: 23 years ago, as one of the first batch of players in the school, I had the honor to be promoted to the first team. Now that I have retired and returned to the school, my heart is full of emotions, and this place carries too many memories for me. It means a lot to me to realize my dream.
How different is the role change from assistant coach of a professional team to head coach of a ladder team? Have you adapted?
Han Peng's analysis: Professional team coaches focus on training and players' condition adjustment, while youth training coaches need to take the responsibility of teaching and educating people. I hope that the players will not only improve their skills, but also grow as human beings. For many years, our football school has been upholding the concept of "being a player first", if the players lack gratitude, even if they become professional players, it is difficult to have a greater role.
How do you rate your team's performance in this year's Youth Soccer League, leading them to the next stage? What are your goals for the next stage?
Han Peng recalled: the first time I led the team to participate in the national tournament, facing strong opponents, our coaching team initially lacked confidence. However, the players performed well in the game, and after adjustments and the stimulation of the desire to win, we finally achieved good results. More importantly, the players have significantly improved their mental, technical, tactical and physical confrontation abilities. The goal of the next stage is to continue to maintain the leading position.
As a successful professional player, what kind of soccer philosophy do you hope to convey to youth players?
Han Peng shared: I emphasized that the players have to adapt to the high-intensity, fast-paced game, and that they can't slack off in training. Only by doing their best can they play well in the game.
Do you share your experience with your players?
Han Peng said: We will pass on the advanced concepts we have learned to the players, as our own experience has become slightly outdated. We are going to try to expose the players to the latest techniques and concepts.
What do you expect from the players going forward?
Han Peng's outlook: I hope they can be promoted to the first team, make more appearances in the Chinese Super League, and even be selected for the national team. It would be even better if some of them could go out of the country and play in Europe.
