On the stage of Chinese football, personnel changes always cause an uproar. The news that Ivankovic replaced Jankovic as the new coach of the national football team can be described as a storm in the Chinese football world. This is not just a change of coach, but a new chapter in Chinese football. The arrival of Ivankovic has brought new expectations and challenges.
Jankovic's departure has long been a sure fact in the football world. His coaching background and understanding of Chinese football have been controversial. However, the addition of Ivankovic is like a shot in the arm, injecting new vitality into the Chinese team. He not only has experience in coaching Shandong Luneng, but also has achieved good results in the Oman national team. What's more, he didn't just come for money, but out of love for football and confidence in his abilities.
Ivankovic has a lot of responsibilities and many challenges to face. From restoring the team's morale to selecting and employing people, from formulating tactics to running in the lineup, he needs to start from scratch and solve problems step by step. The primary goal is to lead the national football team to the top 18 of the World Preliminary Championship. He even went to the Super Cup to get a full picture of the strength of Chinese football. For him, this is not only an ordinary spectator, but also an important piece of data for future planning.
Ivankovic's contract with the Chinese Football Association extends until the end of the 2027 Asian Cup, but this does not mean that it will be easy. The terms of the contract are strict and detailed, requiring him to achieve the set goals within the stipulated time, especially to lead the national football team to the round of 18 of the 2026 World Preliminary Championships. Otherwise, the Chinese Football Association has the right to unilaterally terminate the cooperation. His coaching team consists of 4 foreign assistants and some Chinese coaches, and this combination of Chinese and foreign teams has undoubtedly brought new ideas and perspectives to Chinese football.
At the tactical level, Ivankovic must make full use of the characteristics of the Chinese team, not only to play to the strengths of the players, but also to strengthen the shortcomings. When it comes to selecting and employing people, he needs to balance veterans and rookies to build a stable and dynamic team. In addition, he also needs to face the problem of how to improve the overall combat effectiveness of the team, which is not only a technical and tactical challenge, but also a psychological test.
Ivankovic has a tight schedule, with everything from communicating with the Football Association to working with the coaching team. As the World Preliminary Tournament approaches, the pressure and challenges on him and his team are increasing. But for the experienced coach, this is the best chance to show what he is capable of. Regardless of the outcome, his arrival brings new hope and expectation to Chinese football.
Ivankovic's story has just begun, and the future of Chinese football is full of possibilities. In this new chapter, every fan expects the national football team to achieve better results in the international arena. Ivankovic's challenge continues, and those of us who love football will be watching him every step of the way. How he will lead Chinese football to new glory is what we are all looking forward to.