Branko Ivankovic
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New Coach, New Squad: China’s Young Stars Face Korea and Japan Amidst Skepticism
China’s men’s national football team announced its squad for the East Asian Football Championship, featuring new talent. This follows the contract termination of former head coach Branko Ivanković after the team’s failure to advance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The CFA confirmed Ivanković’s departure after an expert panel review.
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China’s Football Team Sees 14 Head Coaches in 2023, Sparking Debate: Can They Finally Take Flight?
Branko Ivankovic has been dismissed as head coach of the Chinese men’s national football team after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup final qualifying round. This decision, the CFA cited the automatic termination of his contract, due to the team’s poor performance. His brief tenure, with a win rate below 30%, further highlights the program’s instability, which has seen 14 managerial changes in 23 years, reflecting the ongoing struggles of Chinese football.