China's coach will take team to 'a new level'
By Ni Yinbin |
August 15, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho signed a three-year contract to coach China's national soccer team yesterday, just weeks before its latest bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Camacho takes over from former national team player Gao Hongbo with the task of rapidly improving China's poor standing in the world's most popular sport.
China has only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and is currently ranked 73rd in the world, between Malawi and Zambia.
The side faces Singapore in a World Cup qualifying match on September 2.
"I have been used to work under pressure. Since I started to play in Real Madrid at the age of 17, I have been married to pressure," said the 56-year-old experienced Spanish tactician at a news conference in Beijing yesterday.
"Now I am here in China, leading the Chinese team and facing expectations from Chinese fans. Such pressure is beautiful, me and my team will try every means of not letting the fans down.
"I have a two-step plan for my team," he said.
"First, qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It won't be an easy task, but my team and I are working toward this goal. Second, I think the improvement of Chinese football depends on its popularity in the country. I hope to see more kids playing at school or in the street. I hope to see more people playing this sport in China, then Chinese football will have hope."
"I know the goal will be taking the Chinese team to a new level and leading the team to the World Cup so there's a lot of work to do and there's also challenge and pressure," he said.
Match videos
Camacho is expected to meet the national team for the first time in the southern Chinese city of Kunming on August 22, and the former Real Madrid and Benfica coach admitted he was not familiar with his squad.
"Back in Spain we do not have many chances to know Chinese football. Before I came to China, I only watched some match videos of the team," said Camacho. "I notice some of Chinese players are very good, but for now I still can not remember their names."
Camacho is the seventh foreign coach in the country's revolving door of foreign and Chinese head coaches. He is bringing two assistant coaches, a physical coach and an analyst to his coaching team.
His salary was not disclosed at the press conference but insiders said he could get at least 2.5 million euros (US$3.5 million).
Camacho made nearly 600 appearances with Real Madrid from 1973 to 1989. He also played more than 80 times for Spain, including in two World Cups.
And he managed Spain's national team for four years, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Camacho takes over from former national team player Gao Hongbo with the task of rapidly improving China's poor standing in the world's most popular sport.
China has only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and is currently ranked 73rd in the world, between Malawi and Zambia.
The side faces Singapore in a World Cup qualifying match on September 2.
"I have been used to work under pressure. Since I started to play in Real Madrid at the age of 17, I have been married to pressure," said the 56-year-old experienced Spanish tactician at a news conference in Beijing yesterday.
"Now I am here in China, leading the Chinese team and facing expectations from Chinese fans. Such pressure is beautiful, me and my team will try every means of not letting the fans down.
"I have a two-step plan for my team," he said.
"First, qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It won't be an easy task, but my team and I are working toward this goal. Second, I think the improvement of Chinese football depends on its popularity in the country. I hope to see more kids playing at school or in the street. I hope to see more people playing this sport in China, then Chinese football will have hope."
"I know the goal will be taking the Chinese team to a new level and leading the team to the World Cup so there's a lot of work to do and there's also challenge and pressure," he said.
Match videos
Camacho is expected to meet the national team for the first time in the southern Chinese city of Kunming on August 22, and the former Real Madrid and Benfica coach admitted he was not familiar with his squad.
"Back in Spain we do not have many chances to know Chinese football. Before I came to China, I only watched some match videos of the team," said Camacho. "I notice some of Chinese players are very good, but for now I still can not remember their names."
Camacho is the seventh foreign coach in the country's revolving door of foreign and Chinese head coaches. He is bringing two assistant coaches, a physical coach and an analyst to his coaching team.
His salary was not disclosed at the press conference but insiders said he could get at least 2.5 million euros (US$3.5 million).
Camacho made nearly 600 appearances with Real Madrid from 1973 to 1989. He also played more than 80 times for Spain, including in two World Cups.
And he managed Spain's national team for four years, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
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