Beijing Guoan have a new manager for the 2025 season, in the form of former FC Barcelona man Quique Setién.
The 66-year-old Spaniard joins the Workers’ Stadium outfit ahead of the 2025 season, replacing the outgoing Ricardo Soares.
Soares had a mixed spell in China’s capital city, but still had a positive record in his one-and-a-half seasons in charge — with 26 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses for a total of 89 points.
The results saw Beijing finished sixth and fourth respectively, reaching the Quarter-Finals of the Chinese FA Cup in the process. However, for a club of Beijing’s stature, it wasn’t enough and a new face with fresh ideas was sought.
Setién arrives in Beijing with years of experience on the touchline after a fairly successful playing career in Spain, where he won three caps for the Spain National Team and won the Supercopa de España in 1985 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985/86.
He has helmed multiple clubs in his native Spain, including Racing Santander, Las Palmas, Real Betis, Barcelona and, most recently, Villarreal, but he has yet to win any silverware as a manager.
His time with Barcelona came to an abrupt end after his side suffered a record 8–2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Quarter-Finals of the 2020 Champions League — being sacked just three days later.
He had a positive spell with Villarreal, guiding them to fifth in La Liga and qualifying for the Europa League in his first year in charge, but results were poor to start the following season and he was let go as a result.
Bar brief spells with the Russia National Beach Football Team and the Equatorial Guinea National Team in 2005 and 2006, Setién has only coached at club level in Spain.
The move to China is a bold one for the Santander native, who will be desperate to finally lead to a club to some silverware — either through Chinese Super League success or a run at the Chinese FA Cup.
Beijing’s official social media announcement of Setién’s arrival states: “Mr. Setién’s football philosophy advocates attack and emphasizes passing and control, which is very suitable for the football style pursued by Beijing Guoan.”
“He is also good at developing young players and is one of the most experienced coaches in Spanish football.”
It concluded: “It is believed that the arrival of Mr. Setién will inject new vitality into the team, bring more memorable games to Beijing fans, and lead the team to achieve higher goals.”