The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Friday that Zhao Junzhe, former captain of the country's national soccer team, has been appointed as the director of management and training of the team.
Meanwhile, Zhao's former teammates Yang Chen and Shao Jiayi, both of whom have played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and European leagues, will also join former national player Lin Lefeng for training work. Peng Weiguo, who used to be a member of the national team will be in charge of the local youth development of soccer.
The appointment of the four former national players in management positions can be seen as a big step by Chinese soccer development towards a more professional system of letting "real players run the sport", just like what happened in basketball.
Yang Chen (L) and Shao Jiayi (R), both former Chinese national soccer players, will join management with the CFA. /VCG Photo
"As the first former national player for this job, I could feel the pressure. On the other hand, I was captain of the (Chinese) national team for six years and captain of Liaoning for 16 years and I also worked as a manager. All these experiences will help me better understand the players and managers and communicate more effectively with the clubs," said Zhao to Xinhua.
Besides seeking talent domestically, the CFA did not stop in finding top soccer experts from foreign countries. Chris Van Puyvelde, former technical director of the Belgian Football Association (KBVB), has signed a four-year contract with the CFA for the same job, confirmed by both the KBVB and Van Puyvelde himself.
Chris Van Puyvelde, former technical director of the Belgian Football Association (KBVB), is coming to China for the same job. /VCG Photo
"My choice was partly determined by my family who will cooperate with me in China and who will give me a lot of support. What I feel today is gratitude and pride," said the 58-year-old gentleman who has contributed a lot to Belgium's success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Chinese national basketball teams have already proved with their four gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games that putting someone professional like a successful former national player (Yao Ming) in charge of the sport can lead to real accomplishments. Although Chinese soccer is just getting started, it's on the right path.
(Top picture: Zhao Junzhe, former captain of the Chinese national soccer team is joining the CFA for management position. /VCG Photo)