Ivankovic: I need time to rest, I won't be sure of a new job right away!
Ivankovic, who has just ended his partnership with the Omani national team, has become one of the popular candidates for the new coach of the Chinese national football team. In a recent interview with journalist Sylvia Shkkellec, Ivankovic revealed that although he has already received offers from Asian and African teams, he intends to take a break for a while and is not in a hurry to determine a new direction of work. The experienced coach stressed that although he does not currently plan to join any club, continuing to coach the national team will be his first choice.
In the just-concluded Asian Cup, Ivankovic's Oman team performed remarkably, although it failed to qualify in the end, but showed a good competitive state and tactical level in the game. In particular, against Thailand, Oman had 80% possession and completed 15 shots on goal, only to be unlucky enough to miss the ball. Ivankovic is proud of his achievements in Oman, mentioning that Oman are now the ninth-ranked team in Asia and are very close to some of the best teams in Asia.
For Chinese football, Ivankovic's experience and achievements are undoubtedly attractive. His deep understanding of Asian football, especially his ability to improve the strength of the team, is exactly what the Chinese national football team desperately needs at the moment. In addition, his knowledge of Chinese football and Asian football, as well as his tactical literacy and team management skills in the Asian Cup, make him an ideal candidate to coach the national football team.
However, Ivankovic is currently choosing to rest and think, which has brought uncertainty to the Chinese Football Association in the search for a new manager. He said it would take time to weigh the situation, which could mean the Chinese Football Association would need to be patient or look for other alternatives. Although Ivankovic has stressed that coaching the national team is his top priority, it is still unknown when he will end his rest period and where his next stop will be.
Previously, domestic media broke the news that Ivankovic had submitted an offer of 1.5 million annual salary to the Chinese Football Association, an increase of $950,000 compared with his salary for coaching in the Oman team. His coaching philosophy, in-depth knowledge of Asian football, and his remarkable achievements in improving the strength of the team are all important assets for him to become a national football coach. However, his current choice to rest and reflect means that the Chinese Football Association may need to keep an eye on his movements and prepare possible alternative plans before he makes a final decision. (Lao Qiu Super League Ball Review)