Success starts on the sidelines
The new Chinese Super League season will feature star foreign players shining on the pitch, along with these high-profile foreign coaches on the sidelines:
MANUEL PELLEGRINI
Nationality: Chilean Current team: Hebei China Fortune Last team: Manchester City Managerial highlight: A former Chile defender in the 1970s, Pellegrini has won national leagues in four different countries as head coach, highlighted by leading Man City to both the League Cup and Premier League titles in the 2013-14 season. Signed by Hebei on a three-year deal together with his own assistants team last year, he’s expected to lead a charge for the league title this season.
ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS
Nationality: Portuguese Current team: Shanghai SIPG Last team: Zenit Saint Petersburg Managerial highlight: Without professional playing experience, Villas-Boas built his name by leading Portuguese club Porto to four trophies, including an unbeaten season in the top-tier league in 2011. He then spent short stints with Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur before guiding Zenit to the club’s fifth Russian league championship in 2015. Villas-Boas is now tasked with driving the glittering Shanghai side to both domestic and Asian glories.
FABIO CANNAVARO
Nationality: Italian Current team: Tianjin Quanjian Last team: Guangzhou Evergrande Managerial highlight: As one of the best defenders in the world during his playing career, Cannavaro began honing his coaching in Asia with Dubai-based club Al-Ahli. Replacing his former national mentor Marcelo Lippi, Cannavaro spent seven months as head coach of CSL giant Guangzhou Evergrande in the 2014-15 season. The formidable captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup champion proved his coaching ability by leading Quanjian to China’s second-tier league title last year, earning a promotion to the CSL this season.
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI
Nationality: Brazilian Current team: Guangzhou Evergrande Last team: Gremio Managerial highlight: Reaching his managerial peak by leading Brazil to the 2002 World Cup titlke, Scolari spent more than a decade shifting between international and club posts including helming Portugal’s national squad and Premier League force Chelsea. In 2015, he guided Evergrande to its fifth CSL title and second AFC Champions League trophy in his first season with the club.
FELIX MAGATH
Nationality: German Current team: Shandong Luneng Last team: Fulham Managerial highlight: After a remarkable playing career with Hamburger SV highlighted by three Bundesliga titles, Magath proved his competency as a manager by guiding Bayern Munich to two consecutive doubles, the league and German Cup titles, from 2004-06. Famous for strong discipline and rigorous training, he was signed last June by Shandong in a bit to regain its prowess.