It seems that everyone has noticed a change in the public perception of Liu Guoliang since the "Three Musketeers" stepped down from the stage. His reputation, once characterized by the phrase "anyone can do it," has shifted to a more cautious and uncertain stance.
One might conclude that Liu Guoliang's actual coaching and management abilities are lower than his own self-perception. Perhaps he was just lucky to have encountered the "Three Musketeers" during a period of great fortune for the national table tennis team, leading him to believe that the team was invincible and that anyone could become a world champion.
However, reality has proven otherwise, especially after Fan Zhendong announced his withdrawal from the WTT world rankings, which significantly increased the public pressure on Liu Guoliang.
Take, for example, the opening ceremony of the Ping Pong Super League Finals on December 30, 2024. When the host introduced Liu Guoliang, there were noticeable boos from the audience. Moreover, the live broadcast chat was filled with calls for Liu Guoliang to step down and be investigated.
So, how did Liu Guoliang and the national table tennis team end up in their current state in just a few short years?
It all started with the men's singles round of 16 at the Paris Olympics.
For many, July 31, 2024, is a memorable day. It not only exposed Liu Guoliang's cognitive errors but also served as a wake-up call to those who care about table tennis, revealing that the future of the national team is not as smooth sailing as previously thought.
Let's assume that if Wang Chuqin had made it to the final in Paris and defeated Fan Zhendong to win the championship, with Sun Yingsha defeating Chen Meng, and Lin Shidong proclaiming, "Even without Fan Zhendong, I can ensure that the three major championships will not slip away," would the withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng from the WTT still cause such a stir?
At that point, even Liu Guoliang might dare to declare, "The earth will continue to revolve without anyone."
In summary, the current public pressure on Liu Guoliang mainly stems from Wang Chuqin's loss in Paris. This is because Wang Chuqin was built up by Liu Guoliang using resources, but the outcome was akin to receiving a hard slap in the face.
Of course, there may also be errors in selection, as Fan Zhendong stands ahead of them with his achievements and courage.