The 2025 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will kick off with its first round of matches from February 21st to 23rd. The winter transfer window will be open between January 6th and February 18th. All CSL teams are actively seeking cost-effective domestic and foreign players to enhance their performance in the new season. Among the 16 teams preparing for the CSL, five have either already changed or are about to change their head coaches.
Beijing Guoan was the first team to announce a coaching change. On the 10th of last month, after nearly 544 days in charge, [Suarez] stepped down, and he was replaced by [Setien] from Spain. However, the first phase of the team's winter training was conducted by an assistant coach, and Setien is expected to join the team next week. Beijing Guoan will face a busy schedule this year, participating in three competitions, making squad reinforcement a necessity.
Wuhan Three Towns announced the departure of their most high-profile coach in club history, [Ricardo], who had been in charge for 344 days and has since returned to Japan. The team has not yet officially announced their new coach, but it is rumored that Portuguese [Felipe Martins] will take over. He is also expected to bring two foreign players to China, reducing the time needed to select foreign talent. In the new season, Wuhan Three Towns faces a rebuilding of their lineup, aiming for relegation survival after a period of low morale and high expectations.
Zhejiang announced the departure of [Jordi], who had coached the team for four years with a total of 1460 days. The new head coach is rumored to be [Caneda], another Spanish technical-style coach, who is likely to join the team when they start their preseason preparations in Haikou in four days. The team will later travel to Dubai for friendly matches.
Qingdao Hainiu has not yet officially announced a coaching change, but [Yassin], whose abilities have been questioned, is set to leave after almost a year in charge. The current head coach of Cangzhou Mighty Lions, [Li Xiaopeng], is expected to return to his hometown to lead Qingdao Hainiu, with the goal of avoiding relegation.
Cangzhou Mighty Lions have not started their winter training yet, as their focus is on securing league entry. Li Xiaopeng's departure is imminent, and the future of the players remains uncertain. If the team can recover and secure their place at the last minute, Cangzhou Mighty Lions might hire Qingdao Hainiu's Yassin to coach them in the 2025 CSL season. However, if they fail to meet the entry requirements, the team will exit the professional football stage. With 90% of the players' contracts expiring yesterday, many players will leave regardless of the outcome, some already having found new clubs.
Fifteen teams are set to compete in the 2025 CSL season without issue. If Cangzhou Mighty Lions cannot maintain their position, Meizhou Hakka, who were recently relegated to the China League One, would be promoted to the CSL. Meizhou Hakka's contract with Serbian head coach [Milan] has expired. Milan took charge twice during the past stages, assuming the role in a crisis last year and coaching for 204 days but failing to avoid relegation. Whether there will be a third collaboration depends on the promotion results; if promoted to the CSL, he will continue to lead the team; if remaining in League One, a local head coach will be appointed.
The head coaches of the other 11 CSL teams are unlikely to change, with the shortest tenure being 89 days and the longest being four years. They include Chengdu Rongcheng (Xu Zhengyuan, 1481 days), Tianjin Jinmen Tiger (Yu Genwei, 1377 days), Dalian Yingbo (Li Guoxun, 945 days), Shandong Taishan (Choi Kang-hee, 596 days), Shanghai Port (Muskata, 381 days), Shanghai Shenhua (Slutsky, 371 days), Henan Team (Nan Ji-yi, 360 days), Changchun Yatai (Xie Hui, 259 days), Yunnan Yulong (Anderson, 212 days), Qingdao West Coast (Shao Jiayi, 156 days), and Shenzhen Xinpengcheng (Latanzio, 89 days).
May the regrets of 2024 become the driving force of 2025. Though dreams may seem distant, pursuing them can lead to success; though wishes may be challenging, holding onto them can make them come true.