Overview
- The Chinese Football Association announced the hire on Nov. 5 following a recruitment process that featured a public job posting and online interviews.
- Shao succeeds Branko Ivankovic, who was dismissed in June after China lost seven of its ten World Cup qualifiers.
- The CFA said he was selected over several qualified Chinese and foreign candidates evaluated by the expert group.
- Before taking the top job, Shao managed Qingdao West Coast and previously led China’s U19 and U20 teams while also serving as an assistant with the senior side.
- A veteran of more than 100 matches in Germany and 41 caps for China, Shao was in the 2002 World Cup squad as the team now seeks improved results in future cycles with Asia offering eight direct 2026 slots plus a playoff path.