With the conclusion of the season, Beijing Guoan failed to secure the league championship as they had hoped, finishing only in fourth place. However, this did not hinder their progress towards a higher stage. With this ranking, Guoan qualified for the AFC Champions League, and next season they will face the challenge of competing on three fronts: the Chinese Super League (CSL), the Chinese FA Cup, and the AFC Champions League. To prepare for this, Guoan has been particularly busy during the off-season, dealing with the renewal of veteran players' contracts while actively recruiting new talent to enhance the team's overall strength.
During this crucial off-season, several veterans within the Guoan squad, including core players such as Yu Dabao, Zhang Xizhe, and Wang Gang, have seen their contracts expire. The decision regarding whether these veterans stay or leave has become a significant challenge for the team management. These veterans have not only contributed immensely to the team but also carry the deep affection of Guoan fans. However, for the sake of the team's rejuvenation and long-term development, Guoan must make choices between sentiment and reality.
After considerable effort, Guoan announced four key signings on December 30th, injecting new vitality into the team's future. Among them, Zhang Xizhe completed a two-year contract extension with Guoan, which will continue until the end of 2026 and includes an extension clause. Wang Gang and Chi Zhongguo renewed their contracts for one year, making significant salary reductions to demonstrate their loyalty and sacrifice to the team. Additionally, young player Bai Yang also chose to renew his contract with a pay cut, reserving talent for the team's future.
However, not all veterans can continue to stay with Guoan. It is revealed that Yu Dabao, who will soon turn 37, may consider retirement after participating in Feng Xiaoting's retirement ceremony. If this veteran of Guoan chooses to hang up his boots, it will undoubtedly leave fans with endless memories and emotions. At the same time, Guoan also officially announced the departure of foreign player Mamadou. With Mamadou's contract expiring and the team not planning to renew it, he became the first foreign player to leave Guoan during the off-season.
Following Mamadou's departure, Guoan will accelerate its recruitment of foreign players to ensure a smooth campaign on three fronts next season. The team is well aware that in the fiercely competitive CSL and AFC Champions League, relying solely on domestic players is insufficient to meet all challenges. Therefore, bringing in strong foreign players will be a crucial guarantee for Guoan to achieve good results next season.
In summary, Beijing Guoan's busyness and efforts during the off-season are all aimed at preparing fully for next season's three-front battle. They need to retain the team's core strength while introducing new blood to enhance their capabilities. In this process, Guoan has shown their persistent pursuit of the football cause and deep respect for the fans' emotions. It is believed that in the near future, Guoan will surely create new achievements on the green field, bringing more joy and glory to the fans.