Ivan Jovanović Appointed as New Coach for Chinese Men's Soccer Team

In a surprising turn of events, 69-year-old Ivan Jovanović has been appointed as the new head coach for the Chinese Men's National Soccer Team, replacing Li Xiaopeng. The decision, made by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), aims to strengthen the team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia qualifiers.

Jovanović, a UEFA-certified coach, previously held coaching positions for various prominent teams in Europe and Asia. He notably led the German club Hannover 96 and the Iranian national team, as well as coaching clubs in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

In China, Jovanović is best known for his tenure as the head coach for Shandong Luneng Taishan, a prominent Chinese Super League club, from 2010 to 2011. Under his leadership, the team secured the Chinese Super League title.

The announcement comes after Li Xiaopeng's stint as head coach for the Chinese Men's National Soccer Team came to an end on February 24. Li, a former Chinese national team player, had taken the helm in 2020 but was unable to achieve significant success during his tenure, with the team facing early eliminations from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Jovanović's hiring has been met with mixed reactions from Chinese soccer fans on Weibo, a popular social media platform. While some fans expressed cautious optimism about his ability to turn things around, others voiced their disappointment with the team's management and questioned the decision to hire a foreign coach.

One user wrote, "We keep changing coaches and nothing changes. It's time to focus on developing our own talent. Let's stop relying on foreign coaches." Another commented, "I hope Jovanović can bring some European coaching methods to the team. With his experience, he might be able to guide our players in the right direction."

Jovanović's impressive coaching resume, which also includes a stint with the Oman national team, is seen as a plus by many fans. During his time with the Omani team, he guided them to their best-ever finish in the Arab Cup in 2021. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the team achieved a remarkable nine wins and just one loss, surpassing previous records set by the national team.

Despite his successes, Jovanović will face significant challenges in his new role as the Chinese Men's National Soccer Team coach. The team has struggled in recent years, with many attributing their lackluster performance to a shortage of skilled players and poor management at the club and national level.

Some soccer analysts have also pointed out that the decision to hire a foreign coach might not be the best solution for the team's problems. They argue that developing homegrown talent and investing in grassroots soccer development should be the primary focus for the CFA.

In addition to the pressure to improve the team's performance, Jovanović's salary has come under scrutiny. The CFA is reportedly paying Jovanović 150 million euros per year, which is 30 million euros more than Li Xiaopeng's salary. While some fans have criticized the expenditure as excessive, others have defended the hiring, arguing that Jovanović's experience and track record warrant the higher salary.

As Jovanović prepares to lead the Chinese Men's National Soccer Team, the future remains uncertain. With a combination of high expectations and concerns about the team's long-term development, only time will tell whether the veteran coach can help transform the struggling squad into a contender on the international stage.