After eight foreign coaches have failed to produce satisfactory results with the Chinese national football team, former China coach Gao Hongbo has been reported to sign up to take back the position following Frenchman Alain Perrin's departure from the team on Friday, as reported by Xinhua.
Gao became the youngest coach of the Chinese national team at the age of 44 in 2009. During his two-year stint, his most memorable feat was leading the team to a victory over South Korea during the 2010 East Asian Cup, its first victory in 32 years.
"Gao Hongbo is a domestic coach, so he understands Chinese soccer well. He has plenty of coaching experience. More importantly, he coached the national team between 2009 and 2011 when the team had a 23-11-4 record. He helped the team overcome the South Korea-phobia," read an article on 163.com on Sunday.
Gao also led the team during the 2011 Asian Cup when they failed to go beyond the group stage, with one victory in three matches.
Gao considers Perrin's departure as his opportunity to work with the national team again. On Saturday, he told reporters that he had already submitted the application.
"On one hand, the national team position is always the ultimate goal for a Chinese coach. Since there is a chance now, I will surely throw myself at it," Gao told Sohu.com later Saturday. "On the other hand, the national team is in a difficult moment, so I feel I am obligated to do my part."
Perrin was removed from coaching the team by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Friday after less than two years on the job. The CFA immediately started looking for his successor, posting a job ad on its website on Saturday.
Gao believes he has an advantage over foreign coaches.
"I have worked with the national team for quite a long time and know the players well. I can quickly adapt once I return to the job," said Gao.
Gao led the national team to the last 20 phase at the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in 2011 when he was informed that he would be replaced by a foreign coach, who the CFA and sponsor Wanda Group perceived as more famous, experienced and capable of leading the team.
However, Gao's replacement was Jose Antonio Camacho, who failed to produce good results for China with a record of 7-2-11 out of 20 matches.
Camacho was the beginning of a series of foreign coaches, only one of which, Bora Milutinovic, served out his entire contract.