Ivankovic's Controversial Interview Sparks Debate on Respect in Chinese Football
In a recent interview on CCTV’s Football Night, China’s national team coach Branko Ivankovic made controversial comments about feeling disrespected when asked if he would be fired, citing his accomplishments coaching in three countries. His remarks have ignited a heated debate about the state of Chinese football and the challenges facing foreign coaches.
Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic finds himself in the eye of a storm after his recent appearance on CCTV’s Football Night program. When asked by a reporter if he was worried about being fired in the wake of the national team’s recent struggles, Ivankovic didn’t mince words.
“This definitely makes me feel disrespected,” the 59-year-old Ivankovic stated bluntly. “But it’s nothing I haven’t experienced before in my coaching career. I came to China facing challenges, as Chinese football hasn’t achieved good results for many years, while other sports are winning championships.”
Ivankovic went on to cite his own credentials, saying “I’ve won championships in 3 countries, and led national teams from multiple countries to battle in the Asian Cup. Sometimes a coach’s fate hinges on the smallest margins, on whether a ball goes in the net or not. Football matches are played by people on the pitch.”
While acknowledging the pressure and criticism he faces, Ivankovic remained defiant. “The atmosphere around potentially getting fired is very palpable, but I also need to focus on my work. There are only two kinds of coaches - those who have been fired, and those who will be fired.”
His comments immediately ignited controversy and debate among Chinese football fans and media. Some accused Ivankovic of making excuses and disrespecting China, while others argued he was simply being honest about the realities and pressures of the job.
Supporters pointed to Ivankovic’s track record, having won league titles in Croatia, Iran, and China itself with Shandong Luneng in 2010. They argue that with the current state of Chinese football, no coach could realistically meet the sky-high expectations. Changing coaches now would achieve little.
However, critics say that as a highly-paid foreign coach, Ivankovic’s duty is to elevate the national team, not complain about lack of respect. If he is as accomplished as he claims, he should be able to handle the pressure and criticism that come with the territory.
At the heart of the matter is the chronic underperformance of the Chinese men’s national football team, which has failed to qualify for the World Cup since 2002. While the Chinese Super League has invested heavily to bring in foreign talent, the national team program remains mired in disappointment.
For now, Ivankovic remains at the helm as China prepares for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. But this incident has exposed the fault lines and hair-trigger tensions surrounding the underperforming team. Unless results improve quickly, this likely won’t be the last controversy to engulf Chinese football. The road ahead remains long and uncertain.