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RTHK
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- RTHK
Coach Ivankovic fired following World Cup elimination
Coach Ivankovic fired following World Cup elimination Branko Ivankovic was appointed China's coach in February 2024. NurPhoto via AFP Branko Ivankovic has been fired as the national team coach following the squad's elimination from the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this month, the Chinese Football Association has announced. The 71-year-old Croatian coach was removed from the post as a result of China finishing fifth in Group C of the continent's preliminaries for next year's 48-team finals, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "The Chinese Football Association expresses gratitude to Mr Branko Ivankovic and his coaching staff for their dedicated efforts during their tenure with the men's national team and their contributions to Chinese football," a CFA statement said on Friday. "We wish Mr. Ivankovic all the best in his future work and life." Ivankovic, who led Iran at the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, was appointed China's coach in February 2024, replacing Aleksandar Jankovic. He steered the country into the third phase of Asia's World Cup qualifying. His team recovered from a poor start to maintain their hopes of a place at their first World Cup since the nation's debut appearance at the finals in 2002. Wins over Indonesia and Bahrain kept the national team in contention for a berth in the fourth round of qualifying, but losses to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia were followed by a defeat against Indonesia on June 5 that ended any prospect of progressing. The Chinese association said Dejan Djurdjevic, who led China to the quarter-finals of the Under 20 Asian Cup in Shenzhen in February, will take over on a caretaker basis for next month's East Asian Championship in South Korea. (Reuters)
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Coach Ivankovic fired by Chinese following World Cup elimination
HONG KONG - Branko Ivankovic has been fired as China's national team coach following his side's elimination from the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this month, the Chinese Football Association announced on Friday. The 71-year-old Croatian coach was removed from the post as a result of China finishing fifth in Group C of the continent's preliminaries for next year's 48-team finals, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "The Chinese Football Association expresses gratitude to Mr. Branko Ivankovic and his coaching staff for their dedicated efforts during their tenure with the men's national team and their contributions to Chinese football," a CFA statement said. "We wish Mr. Ivankovic all the best in his future work and life." Ivankovic, who led Iran at the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, was appointed China's coach in February 2024, replacing Aleksandar Jankovic. He steered the country into the third phase of Asia's World Cup qualifying. His team recovered from a poor start, which included a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan, to maintain their hopes of a place at their first World Cup since the nation's debut appearance at the finals in 2002. Wins over Indonesia and Bahrain kept China in contention for a berth in the fourth round of qualifying, but losses to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia were followed by a defeat against Indonesia on June 5 that ended any prospect of progressing. The Chinese association said Dejan Djurdjevic, who led China to the quarter-finals of the Under 20 Asian Cup in Shenzhen in February, will take over on a caretaker basis for next month's East Asian Championship in South Korea. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
China sacks football coach Branko Ivankovic after World Cup failure
CHINA'S football association has terminated the contract of national team coach Branko Ivankovic after the country's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The decision came following a disappointing qualifying campaign, including a crucial 1-0 loss to Indonesia earlier this month. China finished second-last in their Asian qualifying group, suffering seven defeats in 10 matches. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed the dismissal in a statement, saying, 'As the Chinese men's national team failed to qualify for the play-off stage, the contract of the coach and his staff has been automatically terminated, in accordance with the stipulated terms.' Ivankovic, a Croatian who previously managed Dinamo Zagreb and Iran, was thanked for his 'hard work.' The CFA named Dejan Djurdjevic, current coach of China's U-19 team, as interim national coach. China's football team, ranked 94th globally, has faced persistent criticism from fans due to poor performances and corruption scandals. Despite President Xi Jinping's ambition for China to win the World Cup, the team has only qualified once, in 2002, failing to score or earn a point.
Observer
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Observer
China sacks coach Branko Ivankovic after World Cup flop
BEIJING: China's football association on Friday said it has sacked national coach Branko Ivankovic after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The decision followed a series of setbacks in qualifying for China, who have only ever played once in a World Cup. China lost 1-0 to Indonesia in early June, a result that effectively dashed the national team's hopes of qualifying. They ultimately finished second-to-last in their Asian group, with seven defeats in 10 matches. "As the Chinese men's national team failed to qualify for the play-off stage, the contract of the coach and his staff has been automatically terminated, in accordance with the stipulated terms," the Chinese Football Association said in a statement on Friday. "Branko Ivankovic will no longer lead the national team," it said, thanking the Croatian, who has coached Dinamo Zagreb and Iran, for his "hard work". The Serbian coach of the Chinese U-19 men's national team, Dejan Djurdjevic, has been appointed interim national coach, the CFA said. The Chinese team are ranked 94th in the world by Fifa, continuing a downward slide that began several years ago. The side have long been the target of ridicule by Chinese fans due to their poor results and the multiple corruption scandals plaguing the sport. President Xi Jinping has said he wanted China to win the World Cup one day, but the latest flop means they have only ever played there once, in 2002, when they failed to get a point or score a goal. — AFP
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
China sacks coach Branko Ivankovic after failure to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026
China's football association on Friday said it has sacked national coach Branko Ivankovic after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The decision followed a series of setbacks in qualifying for China, which has only ever played once in a World Cup. China lost 1-0 to Indonesia in early June, a result that effectively dashed the national team's hopes of qualifying. It ultimately finished second-to-last in its Asian group, with seven defeats in 10 matches. 'As the Chinese men's national team failed to qualify for the play-off stage, the contract of the coach and his staff has been automatically terminated, in accordance with the stipulated terms,' the Chinese Football Association said in a statement Friday. ALSO READ | What is ailing the Chinese Super League? History, issues and the way forward 'Branko Ivankovic will no longer lead the national team,' it said, thanking the Croatian, who has coached Dinamo Zagreb and Iran, for his 'hard work'. The Serbian coach of the Chinese U-19 men's national team, Dejan Djurdjevic, has been appointed interim national coach, the CFA said. The Chinese team is ranked 94th in the world by FIFA, continuing a downward slide that began several years ago. The side has long been the target of ridicule by Chinese fans due to its poor results and the multiple corruption scandals plaguing the sport. President Xi Jinping has said he wanted China to win the World Cup one day, but the latest flop means it has only ever played there once, in 2002, when it failed to get a point or score a goal.
