Losada out of Hong Kong head coach running, FA hunting Andersen successor
- Robert Losada commits to Eastern role, while Shinichi Chan and Tsui Wang-kit join player exodus to mainland China
Roberto Losada has quashed speculation he could become the new head coach of Hong Kong, after signing a new three-year contract with current employers Eastern.
The Hong Kong post has been vacant since Jorn Andersen quit last month to take over at Yunnan Yukun of China League One.
This week, the local football association publicly advertised for a head coach stipulating applications must be submitted by July 1.
Losada was quickly linked with the job following Andersen’s exit, given the Spaniard’s ability to marry the development of young talent with success on the field.
He led Eastern to 2023-24 FA Cup success, and after a season when his side won 23 and drew nine of their 36 matches, claimed a second successive Hong Kong coach of the year honour.
A brief assignment as Hong Kong assistant coach for this month’s World Cup qualifiers did not go to plan, however. Stand-in manager Wolfgang Luisser was not pleased with Losada’s appointment behind his back, and the 47-year-old then did not get a visa to travel for the away fixture in Turkmenistan.
“We accomplished a lot of things in the past three years, and it proves we are taking the right path,” Losada said. “I believe in the process, so I am going to stay longer, and work with the team.”
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) wants its new head coach to have “a track record of success”. Its job listing adds that “success at international level in Asia would be preferable”, along with a history of “continually outperforming resources and budget”.
Those criteria would appear to go against Austrian Luisser, Andersen’s former right-hand man, who impressed during his brief tenure.
The HKFA are under pressure to identify a high-calibre candidate, after losing Andersen following 2½ years of significant progress under the Norwegian.
Hong Kong next play in September, when they have two friendlies against still-to-be-confirmed opponents. They play twice in October, too, including a visit to Liechtenstein for the city’s first European-based match.
The EAFF qualifying tournament, in either November or December, will provide the next competitive action.
Losada’s Eastern, meanwhile, will join champions Lee Man in the group stage of next season’s inaugural AFC Champions League 2. Both clubs receive a guaranteed US$300,000 (HK$2.34 million) for taking part. The group stage draw is scheduled for August 16.
Elsewhere, Shinichi Chan, the Hong Kong defender, has completed a transfer from Kitchee to Chinese Super League title challengers Shanghai Shenhua.
In 2022-23, Chan, 21, spent time on loan with Real Union in Spain. His new club are unbeaten after 15 league games this season, and trail leaders Shanghai Port by two points.
Chan, who has 16 Hong Kong caps, could potentially make a debut in Friday’s Chinese FA Cup tie at League One Foshan Nanshi.
After Tsui Wang-kit finalised terms on a deal to reunite with Andersen at Yunnan this week, Hong Kong have 10 players in mainland China. Six are in the top-flight, with the rest in the league below.
