Xu Genbao’s Spanish team relegated to third division

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After failing to register for the Spanish second division, Lorca FC was automatically downgraded to the third division from division B.

Signalling a failure for the team's manager Xu Genbao, a former Chinese international player and manager, Xu had purchased the team in November 2015 and changed its name to Lorca FC from La Hoya Lorca.

In the past two years, Lorca FC was promoted in the season 2016-17 and was recognized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

But with Xu’s departure from management in January, political and financial problems ensued. The team placed 21st out of 22 teams in the second division.

Xu Genbao signs for Spain's Murcia Football Association as member of council, April 28, 2016. /VCG Photo

Called the “Godfather of China’s football,” by fans, Xu Genbao launched his managing career in 1978 after more than a decade playing professional soccer. He’s trained Zhang Linpeng, 2001 Asian Footballer of the Year as well as Chinese Super League’s top scorer Wu Lei.

Xu Genbao teaches football tactics beside pitch, Shanghai, October 6, 2015 /VCG Photo‍

He founded Genbao Football Academy in the early 2000's to focus on training young Chinese players.

Originally, Xu's intention was to create an environment for young Chinese players to train in Europe, but with Lorca FC's debt, China's limits on investing in a foreign sports arena, and Xu's busy training career for a Shanghai football team, the 74-year-old manager could no longer continue his youth training dream in Spain.