Choi Kang-hee struggling to settle in China

Choi Kang-hee

By John Duerden

It's been quite a week for South Korea's most successful coach ever Choi Kang-hee. Actually, it's been quite a year. The 60-year-old left his beloved Jeonbuk Motors at the end of the 2018 season after delivering a sixth K League title. Over the years, he built the team into a dynasty that dominated domestically and also was feared and respected around Asia after two continental titles.

No surprise then that Choi felt he had done everything he could do in his homeland ― he even answered the call from the national team in 2011 and successfully qualified Korea for the 2014 World Cup. Such was his devotion to Jeonbuk that he preferred to return back to his club than to actually lead his country in Brazil.

Last October he finally agreed to move overseas, joining cashed-up Tianjin Quanjian. The ambitious Chinese club wanted Choi to do for it what he had done for Jeonbuk ― make it a powerhouse at home and, eventually, in Asia too.

It was a disaster as the club almost folded before the 2019 season started. Quanjian, the parent company, became embroiled in a scandal and ended up having to step away from the soccer side. The sudden lack of funds meant that Choi had to leave but he was snapped up by another ambitious Chinese club in the northeastern area.

Dalian Yifang is bankrolled by one of China's richest men Wang Jianlin, the founder of the Dalian Wanda Conglomerate. With foreign stars such as Yarrick Carrasco and Marek Hamsik, the club was aiming for a top three finish this season. The season never really got going.

Hamsik, a Slovakian international who spent 12 years with Italian giant Napoli, struggled to show his best form. Carrasco, who arrived in 2018 from Atletico Madrid was more impressive on the field but became unsettled off it, especially when reports of interest from English powerhouse Arsenal surfaced.

The Belgian international claimed that he had been promised by Dalian that he could return to Europe this summer. This was denied by Choi who dropped Carrasco from the team. Results were not great with Dalian closer to the bottom than the top and Choi was struggling to keep his imports in line.

The problem with working for ambitious clubs is that when results are not great then they often start to look elsewhere. Dalian did just that early last week. Choi left, due to “personal reasons” and was swiftly replaced by Rafa Benitez, who had resigned from Newcastle United in the English Premier League a few days earlier.

The Spaniard has plenty of big game experience and led Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League title in 2005. It may be some consolation for Choi to be replaced by such a famous coach but there has been no time for that. The Korean was almost immediately installed as boss of Shanghai Shenhua. This is an unpredictable club and it may well be that Choi, who spent so long with Jeonbuk Motors, is in for another short stay.

It also may well be that China is not the right place for Choi and it would not be a surprise if he returns to Korea before too long.