Beijing Guoan and Jiangsu Suning have confirmed their new coaches over the weekend, following the recent departures of Guoan’s José González and Suning’s Choi Yong-Soo.
Let’s start in Beijing.
The green-clad capital team got rid of José González earlier this month, after a poor start to the season. The Spaniard is the next in line of a host of foreign coaches who has failed to bring success to the Workers’ Stadium.
The Beijing Guoan board has wasted no time in bringing in a replacement and the man to turn things around is former Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt.
The ex-Leverkusen boss, who had been in charge at the Bay Arena for three years, was sacked in March of this year after a very disappointing season, but is now back in the saddle.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Roger Schmidt as head coach of Beijing Guoan Football Club,” the club said on their official social media outlets. “The agreement is for a two-and-a-half-year contract.”
We are glad to have Mr. Roger Schmidt join us. Welcome to Beijing! pic.twitter.com/NMOACnfC9h
— Beijing Guoan FC (@FCBeijingGuoan) June 10, 2017
The statement continues:
“Schmidt, who is a standout example of the up-and-coming coaches in Germany, has won worldwide plaudits for his high-pressing style with Red Bull Salzburg and Bayer Leverkusen. We are convinced that Schmidt will give a new impetus to Beijing Guoan and will lead our team to reach new heights.”
The statement also shows that there have been plans to get rid of González for a while and bring in the 50-year old, it says:
“After two months of communication, the club believes Mr. Schmidt has an advanced football concept, a rigorous work ethic and is good at encouraging and developing young players, which matches the club’s needs perfectly.
Schmidt will take charge at Beijing on the 1st of July.
On to Jiangsu Suning then.
The Nanjing-based club has hired former Russia and England manager Fabio Capello as their new boss.
“Today we have signed a working contract with Mr. Fabio Capello,” read a statement released by the club.
Jiangsu have been the big underperformer of the season so far and sit in a disappointing 13th place after 11 games. Ex-Chelsea player Ramires and his teammates lost their Korean manager Choi Yong-Soo, who chose to leave his position and return to his homeland, following Jiangsu’s Champions League exit at the hands of Shanghai SIPG.
In contrast to Schmidt, Cappello will take charge of Jiangsu immediately.
According to FootballItalia, it is believed that although not specifically mentioned by the club, the 70-year old is bringing Italians Gianluca Zambrotta and Cristian Brocchi to join his staff.
The former England and Russia manager will also oversee the youth academy and help build the infrastructure at the club.