The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Sunday that 120 foreign coaches will be working with youth players and coaches around the country. It is part of the government's plan to expand the soccer system in its schools and improve the total quality of the sport in China.
Additional 146 foreign trainers were also hired by the CFA in partnership with the Ministry of Education. According to China Daily, these trainers will be deployed to 29 provinces and regions to help local staff members in training their youth players.
"Combining modern foreign experience with Chinese methods, we can produce soccer training curricula adapted to Chinese students," CFA vice president Wang Dengfeng said.
The President's Soccer Plans
President Xi Jinping is known as an avid soccer fan and passed a 50-point plan to establish the sport last Feb. 2015. The plan includes improving the overall quality and skills of its players as well as the popularity of soccer in China.
In a report by the Global Times, the country currently has 5,000 soccer schools, but the plan is to have 20,000 in five years and reach 50,000 in 10.
Other long-term goals of President Xi are for China to qualify, host and eventually win a FIFA World Cup.
Increasing Popularity
Many Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs have spent big money to attract world-class players this winter transfer window. According to Transfermarkt, CSL clubs spent 334 million euros on transfers this January, 81 million euros more than the English Premier League.
The biggest name to arrive in China is Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira, who was signed by Jiangsu Suning for 50 million euros from Shakhtar Donetsk. He joins fellow Brazilian Ramires, who left Chelsea and joined Jiangsu Suning for 28 million euros, according to CNTV.
Other notable players arriving from Europe are Colombian and former Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez, Roma forward Gervinho and Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin.