Title: Zheng Zhi Likely to Remain in National Football Team as New Coach Search Continues
In the wake of the Chinese national football team’s disappointing performance in the Asian Cup group stage, there has been speculation about the future of its coaching staff. However, it has been reported that current coaches Zheng Zhi and Chen Tao are likely to stay on in their roles to help the new coach transition smoothly and boost team morale.
The team was disbanded after its disappointing defeat, with players returning to their clubs to prepare for the upcoming season. The Chinese Football Association has since launched a global search for a new coach, with several candidates being considered for the position. Shandong Taishan head coach Cui Kangxi is rumored to be a popular choice due to his familiarity with Chinese football and his successful track record.
As the search for a new coach continues, the national team is gearing up for the third and fourth rounds of the top 36 of the 2026 World Cup preliminaries, with matches against the Singapore team scheduled for March 21 and 26. With only about 50 days left before the games, the Football Association is working quickly to finalize its coaching staff.
The Association has announced its “global auditions” plan to consider both foreign and local coaches for the national team, providing opportunities for a wide range of candidates to step into the role.
Ultimately, with the future of the coaching staff still uncertain, it remains to be seen how the national team will fare in upcoming matches and how the new coach will lead the team to future success.