Qingdao City Football Club has appointed a new coach to help them return to the Chinese Super League (CSL) after suffering relegation in the past season.
The club's chairman, Liu Xianping, said that he had appointed Zhou Hongqiang as their new coach following a period of consultation with the board of directors and the players.
Zhou is known for his success at other clubs in China and has been involved in several successful coaching campaigns. He has previously coached teams in the Thai Premier League and has also worked as a youth coach for the Chinese national team.
The appointment comes as a major blow for Qingdao City FC, who have struggled to find success under Zhou's leadership. The club finished bottom of the league last season and were relegated to the CSL for the first time since they joined the league in 2011.
However, Zhou has stated that he is committed to helping Qingdao City FC return to the CSL and is determined to turn the club around. He has already made some positive changes to the squad and has also brought in experienced coaches to guide the team.
Despite the challenges facing Qingdao City FC, it remains to be seen how well they can recover from the relegation. However, Zhou's appointment should provide a boost to the club and may help them regain their status in the league.