After a long absence, Qingdao native coach Li Xiaopeng has made a decision that has garnered widespread attention in the football world - he is set to return to Qingdao Hainiu. For him, this is akin to a homecoming journey. During the 2024 season, he had served as the coach of Hainiu, and despite facing challenges at the time, it laid the groundwork for his current return. Now, after his contract with Cangzhou Lions expired, he decisively chose to return to his hometown team and once again take on the responsibility. His series of actions upon returning to Qingdao have drawn significant attention.
Li Xiaopeng's return has caused quite a stir, as he plans to bring in a batch of reinforcements from his former club, Shandong Taishan. It is said that Li Xiaopeng wants to recruit three former national team players, Song Long, Duan Liu Yu, and Liu Binbin, under his wing. They were all very important players for Taishan, with Song Long having rich experience on the flanks and a tight defense; Duan Liu Yu achieving fame at a young age, outstanding football intelligence, and great talent in midfield orchestration; Liu Binbin possessing explosive power and lightning speed.
However, taking these players will not be an easy task. The club management has explicitly stated that they are cautious about the transfers of these players, and there are even insiders revealing that they are prepared to offer them salary increases for renewals, aiming to keep them. But Li Xiaopeng will not give up easily. Relying on his past relationships with the players, he has privately contacted them multiple times, trying to persuade them to follow him.
On one side, the old club is making every effort to retain them; on the other, their mentor is inviting them with enthusiasm. These three players are now facing a choice. Their final decision will undoubtedly become the biggest highlight of the new season's Super League transfer window and will also significantly impact the fate of both teams.
Despite Kanggua and Boaqiye's impressive performances during the 2024 season, their efficiency and stability in the attacking end were insufficient throughout the season. They did not fully demonstrate the strength and value expected of foreign players, which to some extent affected the team's results, leading some fans to view them as subpar foreign signings. According to Live Bar news, Martin Boaqiye is basically confirmed to leave the team and has transferred to the Thai Super League. Evans Kanggua and Saric's contracts have expired, and related sources indicate that they have not received Li Xiaopeng's approval, and are likely to leave the team.
Li Xiaopeng's return to Qingdao Hainiu, although marked by continuous actions and seemingly advantageous, still faces numerous challenges ahead. The first challenge is the team's cohesion. Even if he successfully recruits Song Long and the other two national team players, the integration between the newcomers and the original squad cannot be completed in a short period.
Secondly, the strength of each team in the Chinese Super League has been increasing year by year, and competitors are also making frequent moves in the transfer market. While Qingdao Hainiu is busy cleaning out foreign players and bringing in new ones, other teams are not idle, and the competition in the new season is becoming more intense. How to stand out among many strong teams and stabilize Qingdao Hainiu's position is a problem that Li Xiaopeng must solve.
Furthermore, the expectations of the fans are now high. After the heat of the return subsides, performance is key. If the start is not smooth, public opinion pressure will follow, and whether Li Xiaopeng can withstand the pressure and lead the team to steadily move forward is closely watched. However, Li Xiaopeng is experienced and familiar with the football environment in Qingdao. As long as the strategy is correct, it is not impossible to solve these problems one by one.