Australian coach Ante Milicic has been appointed as the new manager of the Chinese women’s national football team, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Saturday.
Milicic, 49, emerged as the top candidate among over 40 applicants in a global recruitment campaign launched by the CFA in March. He outperformed fellow finalists Alen Stajcic, current manager of Perth Glory in the A-League Men of Australia and New Zealand, and Nils Nielsen, women’s director of football at Manchester City.
The appointment comes after the CFA decided not to extend the contract of former manager Shui Qingxia, following China’s failure to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games last November. As a result, the team will not participate in any major international tournaments in the next two years. Wang Jun, the manager of the Chinese under-20 women’s national team, had been serving as interim manager during the selection process.
Milicic brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously managed Australia’s women’s national team, the Matildas, leading them to the Round of 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. His appointment signals the CFA’s commitment to revitalizing the women’s national team and strengthening its competitiveness on the international stage.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Milicic will shape the future of Chinese women’s football. With his international experience and fresh perspective, there is optimism that he can guide the team back to success in upcoming competitions.
Reference(s):
Ante Milicic appointed manager of Chinese women's football team
cgtn.com
