In a significant move for women's football, Ante Milicic from Australia has been appointed as the new manager of the Chinese women's national football team, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Saturday.
The decision follows China's disappointment in failing to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games last November, leading the CFA to not extend the contract of former manager Shui Qingxia. Consequently, the team will be absent from major international tournaments over the next two years. To bridge the gap, Wang Jun, manager of the Chinese under-20 women's national team, temporarily held the managerial position.
In search of fresh leadership, the CFA initiated a recruitment campaign in March, attracting over 40 applicants. The selection process was intense, ultimately narrowing down to three finalists: Australia's Ante Milicic, his compatriot Alen Stajcic, and Denmark's Nils Nielsen.
Ante Milicic emerged victorious in the final round, outperforming Alen Stajcic, the current manager of Perth Glory in the A-League Men of Australia and New Zealand, and Nils Nielsen, the women's director of football at Manchester City.
Under Milicic's leadership, fans are hopeful for a revitalized approach and improved performance from the Chinese women's national team in upcoming competitions.
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Ante Milicic appointed manager of Chinese women's football team
cgtn.com
