Foreign Director Arrives in Beijing!! Chinese Soccer Rocking BUT Empty-Handed Again?
Beijing, China – Polish-born manager Alexander Vukovic, 46, has arrived in Beijing, sparking initial speculation about a potential role coaching the Chinese national team. however, reports indicate negotiations are now focused on a position with a Chinese professional club.
according to Chinese media outlet Sohu on October 31st, Vukovic’s visit coincides with a prolonged selection process for the national team coach. Sohu reported the visit is centered around club team negotiations, not a national team appointment.
The search for a national team coach has faced hurdles, with previous candidates like Fabio Cannavaro pursuing other opportunities and negotiations with Coach Oscar reportedly collapsing over salary disagreements.
Vukovic boasts a successful club career, having managed Serbian Superliga team Belgrade Partizan and, notably, leading Poland’s Legia Warsaw to four league titles and two cup victories as 2014.
Sohu notes Vukovic lacks experience managing a national team or participating in international competitions.
Beijing Guoan and shandong Luneng are considered potential destinations for Vukovic, both clubs seeking stable leadership during the current season. His expected annual salary is reported to be under 1 million euros (approximately 1.6 billion won), positioning him as a perhaps cost-effective option.
Despite his club success, Sohu points out that Vukovic does not meet the Chinese Football Association’s stated requirements for national team coach candidates - experience in international competition or a top-tier league. The outlet also criticized the association’s ongoing difficulties in securing a manager, stating, “The association is always at a loss in the process of selecting a manager. Expensive managers are burdensome and cheap managers are not trusted,” and attributing the issue to a lack of a long-term football philosophy and plan.