A week has passed since our last CSL news update, and Andre Villas-Boas has indeed left Shanghai SIPG, while Carlos Tevez remains in Argentina with Shanghai Shenua continuing to pretend that they have the striker under control. Luckily for us though there have also been some fresh stories emerging this week, here’s your lowdown.
Felix Magath Leaves Shandong Luneng
Right behind Scolari and AVB through the CSL managerial exit door is Felix Magath who has this week parted company with Shandong Luneng by mutual consent. Magath led the club to a respectable 6th place finish this season, but the club will now take a new direction in the 2018 campaign under the leadership of Li Xiaopeng.
Magath was in charge for a year and a half in the CSL, and that period followed a wealth of coaching experience predominantly in the Bundesliga. At 64 years of age it is unknown whether or not this decision has been taken as a retirement from management. Speaking in relation to the departure, Luneng released the following statement:
“Since taking office, Mr. Magath has further enhanced the team’s desire, training level and performance through his effective and fruitful work”
“Mr. Magath won the club’s respect and the fans’ hearts by his rigorous attitude to work and his dedication.”
Lucas Rumoured To Be The Next Star CSL Arrival
A transfer that would certainly generate huge interest if it were to happen, recent reports claim PSG’s Lucas Moura is set to reject other big European clubs such as Chelsea and head to Beijing for a taste of CSL football and extreme wealth. Goal state that Beijing Guoan are keen to complete a deal this January but are wary of the obstacles the CFA are putting in place to reduce the giant prices CSL sides are paying for star talent.
An undoubtedly talented player, Lucas has found himself surplus to requirements at PSG – which is understandable given they’ve just signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – and therefore the player may well be open to a move in January.
The report goes as far as saying that there has been agreement reached in principle between Lucas and Guoan, meaning this is certainly one we’ll be keeping a keen eye on!
Shenua Continue To Pretend Tevez Isn’t Boca Bound
All signs still suggest that Carlos Tevez will return to Boca Juniors since the whole CSL thing didn’t really workout, the main clue being that he’s in Argentina and refusing to go back to China. Diego Costa’s transfer forcing tactics are catching on!
Thankfully, Shenua agree with the rest of us that this has been dragging on for far too long now and have given the striker an ultimatum – come back soon or don’t come back at all.
The date has been set as Boxing Day, meaning it’s nice and easy to remember for Tevez, as a club spokesman confirmed that the striker must return by the 26th of December if he is to remain a part of the Shenua squad.
“We have informed him that he would have to return to the squad on December 26. But whether he will come back or not, it depends on his own decision.”
AVB Makes Drastic Career Path Switch
Finally, we have as usual saved the most ridiculous story until last, and this one tops the lot. We told you last week that Andre Villas-Boas was leaving SIPG, but what we didn’t tell you was that he was doing so to pursue a career as a rally driver. Yes, really.
See, we talked about the links with Everton and other European clubs, you know a move that might be expected of a young manager who has already been hired by clubs as big as Chelsea. But AVB hasn’t let that get in the way of his lifelong dream of racing, and will drive at the Dakar rally in the new year. Unbelievable.