Magath and AVB leave Chinese football

HONG KONG: Former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath will not continue in his role as head coach of Shandong Luneng, the Chinese Super League club announced yesterday.

The German becomes the latest highprofile foreign manager to leave Chinese football with the announcement coming less than 24 hours after Shanghai SIPG confirmed Andre VillasBoas (pic) was not renewing his contract with the bigspending club.

“The contract between Shandong Luneng Taishan Football Club and Magath has expired and, after friendly discussions, the two sides have decided not to renew,” the club said in a statement issued on social media.

“Since taking office in June 2016, Magath has further enhanced the team’s will, the quality of training and the athletic performance through his hard work.

“Magath’s professional attitude and dedication won the club’s respect and made him a fan favourite.

“We sincerely thank him for his hard work and wish Magath the best for the future.”

The 64yearold Magath took over at the former champions from Brazilian Mano Menezes midway through the 2016 season with Shandong in danger of relegation.

The former Fulham and Wolfsburg coach, known for his strict disciplinary approach, turned the struggling team’s fortunes around, maintaining the club’s topflight status in his first season before taking them to sixth in the standings in 2017.

Magath, VillasBoas and Luiz Felipe Scolari, who won the league title with Guangzhou Evergrande, have all left their clubs since the end of the season.

Magath will be replaced as head coach by former China international midfielder Li Xiaopeng.