Gao Hongbo
Encyclopedia
Gao Hongbo is a Chinese
retired football player and a current coach which managed China national football team
from 2009 to 2011. Appointed in May 2009, Gao became the youngest man to take the helm in 30 years. Gao was a big name in his professional life as a footballer. He was a prolific striker who was famous for his agility in the box and fine ability in finishing. In 1998, he started his coaching career with several Chinese clubs. He was also an assistant of Dutchman Arie Haan in the China national team between 2002 and 2004. Gao made a big achievement as a coach in 2007, as he led Changchun Yatai
to take the title of the CSL
. In April 2009, he became the head coach of China national football team
but was sacked in August 2011 and replaced by José Antonio Camacho
.
, Gao Hongbo was discovered and coached by Xu Genbao
in the Beijing sports school
. A talented youngster he would then join the Beijing Youth Football Team in 1981 where after several years he would be promoted to the senior Beijing team (now Beijing Guoan
) in 1985. With them he would gradually establish himself within the team, yet it wasn't until Beijing were in the second tier and when they won promotion in 1990 that Gao Hongbo would rise to prominence. Once in the top tier his career would flourish and by the early 1990s he had become an integral member within the team where he would personally win the golden ball and golden boot award despite not winning a major trophy. In 1994 he left the team to play in Singapore
for Tanjong Pagar United citing the difficulty to pass the physical standard test of the football association
.
After winning the best scorer in the Singapore league
with Tanjong Pagar United in 1994, Gao Hongbo would return to the newly formed fully professional Beijing Guoan club and would immediately make in impact when he scored 21 times in the following two years. After winning the Chinese FA Cup
in 1996, he left Beijing Guoan and would join Guangzhou Songri
in the second tier where he would reteam with previous coach Xu Genbao and help the club win promotion to the top tier in 1997 when he led the league in scoring with 18 goals. Already offered an assistant coach position at the club before the 1998 league season he would officially retire from playing when the season finished.
in a game where China lost 5-0 to achieve their biggest recorded defeat. Despite the defeat he would still be included in the squad that took part in qualification for the 1992 AFC Asian Cup
where he even scored his debut goal against Malaysia
on April 23, 1992. When China successfully qualified he would be included in the squad that would come third in the tournament, however it was in the 1994 qualification
process for the World Cup that saw Gao Hongbo establish himself as a prominent member of the Chinese squad but despite his best efforts he was unable to help them qualify. After several years out of the team new manager Bobby Houghton
would bring him back in to play several friendlies and a World Cup Qualifier against Vietnam
that China won 3-1 on May 25, 1997 which was to be his last game before he retired.
and Southampton
, and his long-time teammate Yang Chen invited him to study in Germany
as well.
despite of Koreaphobia
and qualified from group stage in the AFC U-17 Championship 2000
, the 1-7 defeat to Japan essentially ended his job.
After the game, Gao Hongbo resigned from the national post and returned to help Xu Genbao in coaching Shanghai Zhongyuan. This duo again won the promotion to Jia A and left the club together in 2002.
Gao Hongbo worked as an assistant coach in the national team between 2003 and 2004. After Wu Jingui
, the coach of the new champion Shanghai Shenhua
, was introduced to the national team, he left the team to coach Xiamen Hongshi.
was a surprising success and he was able to transform Xiamen Hongshi into potential promotion contenders when he was able to take them to third within 2004 second tier. The following season would see them actually win the table and promotion into the 2005 Chinese Super League
.
as League Champions
in 2007. Gao was dismissed by Changchun in 2008 as the club struggled to repeat their form of the previous season.
. Serbian Vladimir Petrovic was the last full-time coach but his contract was not renewed after China was eliminated from the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Gao is the first Chinese national team coach that was chosen through an open selection procedure, which included four other candidates: Wu Jingui
(former Shanghai Shenghua coach), Yin Tiesheng
(previous temporary caretaker manager) and Shen Xiangfu
(under-23 team coach).
In his debut as manager, China drew 1–1 with Germany
in Shanghai
on 29 May 2009. China defeated Iran
1–0 in a friendly match just three days later. With the two positive results against Germany and Iran, hopes have been raised amongst Chinese fans that Hongbo will lead the national team into a new, more prosperous era.
With the 2010 World Cup qualification passed, Gao was tasked with securing qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup.
In January 2010, Gao successfully secured qualification for the 2011 Asia Cup and has set the goal of winning the tournament to be held in January 2011.
In February 2010, he led the national team to win the East Asian Football Championship. China held hosts Japan to a goalless draw before stunning South Korea 3-0 in their first victory over the Koreans. China in their final game won against Hong Kong 2-0.
In January 2011, he led the national team to the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. However, after a good opening game victory over Kuwait, China went on to lose to the hosts in their second match. This required them to beat their final opponents Uzbekistan in order to have a chance to move on into the second round. They only managed a 2-2 draw and thus, bowed out of the tournament in the first round. Despite this, they did earn 4 points for their win and draw and given that they had a young team whose average age was 23, this was a promising performance. After China exited, the football federation was quick to announce that Gao would not be fired. On 13 August 2011, he was officialy sacked.
With Beijing Guoan
With Changchun Yatai
With China PR national football team
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
retired football player and a current coach which managed China national football team
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
from 2009 to 2011. Appointed in May 2009, Gao became the youngest man to take the helm in 30 years. Gao was a big name in his professional life as a footballer. He was a prolific striker who was famous for his agility in the box and fine ability in finishing. In 1998, he started his coaching career with several Chinese clubs. He was also an assistant of Dutchman Arie Haan in the China national team between 2002 and 2004. Gao made a big achievement as a coach in 2007, as he led Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai is a Chinese football team. It was founded on June 6, 1996 by Jilin Yatai Group at Changchun, Jilin. Their manager is Shen Xiangfu....
to take the title of the CSL
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
. In April 2009, he became the head coach of China national football team
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
but was sacked in August 2011 and replaced by José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho Alfaro is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left defender, and the current coach of the China PR national football team....
.
Club career
Born in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, Gao Hongbo was discovered and coached by Xu Genbao
Xu Genbao
Xu Genbao is a Chinese football manager and a former international football player. He is the current founder, chairman and manager of Shanghai East Asia football club as well as also being the owner of the Genbao Football Academy...
in the Beijing sports school
Sports School
Sports School may refer to:* Sports school* Singapore Sports School, a specialized independent school in Singapore* National Sport School , a public high school in Calgary, Alberta...
. A talented youngster he would then join the Beijing Youth Football Team in 1981 where after several years he would be promoted to the senior Beijing team (now Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club (Simplified Chinese: 北京国安 is part of CITIC Group (China International Trust and Investment Corporation). Their current home stadium is Workers Stadium and the Fengtai stadium for less popular games. The current head...
) in 1985. With them he would gradually establish himself within the team, yet it wasn't until Beijing were in the second tier and when they won promotion in 1990 that Gao Hongbo would rise to prominence. Once in the top tier his career would flourish and by the early 1990s he had become an integral member within the team where he would personally win the golden ball and golden boot award despite not winning a major trophy. In 1994 he left the team to play in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
for Tanjong Pagar United citing the difficulty to pass the physical standard test of the football association
Football Association of the People's Republic of China
The Football Association of the People's Republic of China , or commonly known as the Chinese Football Association , is the governing body of football in the People's Republic of China...
.
After winning the best scorer in the Singapore league
S.League
The S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...
with Tanjong Pagar United in 1994, Gao Hongbo would return to the newly formed fully professional Beijing Guoan club and would immediately make in impact when he scored 21 times in the following two years. After winning the Chinese FA Cup
Chinese FA Cup
The Chinese FA Cup is the national knockout cup competition in China organised by the Chinese Football Association. Its current format started in the 1995 season.In the new season, 2011 it was announced, that current Chinese FA Cup will start in May....
in 1996, he left Beijing Guoan and would join Guangzhou Songri
Guangzhou Songri
Guangzhou Songri was a football club in Shaoguan, Guangdong, China.Founded in 1996, Guangzhou Songri was promoted to Jia A in the same year as the runner up of the second division. The team was relegated in the next season, but was able to fight back with the help of coach Xu Genbao and striker...
in the second tier where he would reteam with previous coach Xu Genbao and help the club win promotion to the top tier in 1997 when he led the league in scoring with 18 goals. Already offered an assistant coach position at the club before the 1998 league season he would officially retire from playing when the season finished.
International career
After his impressive displays for Beijing he would make his senior debut on April 4, 1992 as a substitute in a friendly against USAUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in a game where China lost 5-0 to achieve their biggest recorded defeat. Despite the defeat he would still be included in the squad that took part in qualification for the 1992 AFC Asian Cup
1992 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 1992 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan between October 29 and November 8. The host nation, Japan, defeated the defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final in Hiroshima.-Stadiums:...
where he even scored his debut goal against Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
on April 23, 1992. When China successfully qualified he would be included in the squad that would come third in the tournament, however it was in the 1994 qualification
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Asian zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification....
process for the World Cup that saw Gao Hongbo establish himself as a prominent member of the Chinese squad but despite his best efforts he was unable to help them qualify. After several years out of the team new manager Bobby Houghton
Bobby Houghton
Robert Douglas Houghton , commonly known as either Bob Houghton or Bobby Houghton, is an English football manager and former player, Houghton was most recently the head coach of India. His career has spanned over 30 years and 10 different countries...
would bring him back in to play several friendlies and a World Cup Qualifier against Vietnam
Vietnam national football team
The Vietnam national football team is the national football team representing Vietnam and is managed by the Vietnam Football Federation.In the FIFA World Rankings, Vietnam's highest standing was in the first release of the figures, in September 1998, at 84th...
that China won 3-1 on May 25, 1997 which was to be his last game before he retired.
Guangzhou Songri
Xu Genbao would appoint Gao Hongbo as his assistant player coach when he signed him in the 1997 league season before he left the team to coach the defending champions Dalian Wanda. The next season saw him replaced by Aristeu Tavares and Gao remain as his assistant; however, Aristeu Tavares left Guangzhou Songri at the end of the 1998 league season and Gao Hongbo went on to succeed him as the head coach of the team at the beginning of the 1999 league season at the age of 33. He would, however quickly run into trouble with his players and would leave the club after only 11 matches despite having a decent start to the season and he would go abroad to study coaching. He studied in several clubs in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, and his long-time teammate Yang Chen invited him to study in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
as well.
China U-17
After several months of studying, Gao Hongbo was appointed the coach of the national U-17 team. Although the team eliminated South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
despite of Koreaphobia
Koreaphobia
Konghanzheng or Koreaphobia, a term coined by Chinese football fans, is a Chinese persistent phenomenon where the Chinese national football team has played 28 matches in against the South Korean team since 1978 but never been able to beat them until the streak ended on 10 February 2010 when Korea...
and qualified from group stage in the AFC U-17 Championship 2000
AFC U-17 Championship 2000
-Qualification:*Group 1 : *Group 2 : *Group 3 : *Group 4 : *Group 5 : *Group 6 : *Group 7 : *Group 8 : *Group 9 : *Host : -Group A:September 3September 5September 7September 9September 11-Group B:September 4...
, the 1-7 defeat to Japan essentially ended his job.
After the game, Gao Hongbo resigned from the national post and returned to help Xu Genbao in coaching Shanghai Zhongyuan. This duo again won the promotion to Jia A and left the club together in 2002.
Gao Hongbo worked as an assistant coach in the national team between 2003 and 2004. After Wu Jingui
Wu Jingui
Wu Jingui is a Chinese football manager. He is currently the manager of the Chinese Super League team, Zhejiang Lücheng.-Formative years and education:...
, the coach of the new champion Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua is a professional Chinese football club currently playing in Chinese Super League. The club is currently owned by Zhu Jun , Shanghai SVA Group, SMEG and Huangpu Investment Ltd. . The current head coach is Dražen Besek...
, was introduced to the national team, he left the team to coach Xiamen Hongshi.
Xiamen Hongshi
Gao Hongbo's career in XiamenXiamen
Xiamen , also known as Amoy , is a major city on the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of and population of 3.53 million...
was a surprising success and he was able to transform Xiamen Hongshi into potential promotion contenders when he was able to take them to third within 2004 second tier. The following season would see them actually win the table and promotion into the 2005 Chinese Super League
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
.
Changchun Yatai
He led Changchun YataiChangchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai is a Chinese football team. It was founded on June 6, 1996 by Jilin Yatai Group at Changchun, Jilin. Their manager is Shen Xiangfu....
as League Champions
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
in 2007. Gao was dismissed by Changchun in 2008 as the club struggled to repeat their form of the previous season.
China
On 16 April 2009 signed a contract as Head Coach from the China national football teamChina national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
. Serbian Vladimir Petrovic was the last full-time coach but his contract was not renewed after China was eliminated from the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Gao is the first Chinese national team coach that was chosen through an open selection procedure, which included four other candidates: Wu Jingui
Wu Jingui
Wu Jingui is a Chinese football manager. He is currently the manager of the Chinese Super League team, Zhejiang Lücheng.-Formative years and education:...
(former Shanghai Shenghua coach), Yin Tiesheng
Yin Tiesheng
Yin Tiesheng is a Chinese football coach. Yin is the most successful Chinese coach currently in China.-Footballer:As a player, Yin was named Shandong youth team and China national under-20 football team. But he have got hepatitis later and he was retired in 1988.-Shandong:Yin became a successfully...
(previous temporary caretaker manager) and Shen Xiangfu
Shen Xiangfu
Shen Xiangfu is a Chinese football coach and a former international football player. -Playing career:...
(under-23 team coach).
In his debut as manager, China drew 1–1 with Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
on 29 May 2009. China defeated Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
1–0 in a friendly match just three days later. With the two positive results against Germany and Iran, hopes have been raised amongst Chinese fans that Hongbo will lead the national team into a new, more prosperous era.
With the 2010 World Cup qualification passed, Gao was tasked with securing qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup.
In January 2010, Gao successfully secured qualification for the 2011 Asia Cup and has set the goal of winning the tournament to be held in January 2011.
In February 2010, he led the national team to win the East Asian Football Championship. China held hosts Japan to a goalless draw before stunning South Korea 3-0 in their first victory over the Koreans. China in their final game won against Hong Kong 2-0.
In January 2011, he led the national team to the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. However, after a good opening game victory over Kuwait, China went on to lose to the hosts in their second match. This required them to beat their final opponents Uzbekistan in order to have a chance to move on into the second round. They only managed a 2-2 draw and thus, bowed out of the tournament in the first round. Despite this, they did earn 4 points for their win and draw and given that they had a young team whose average age was 23, this was a promising performance. After China exited, the football federation was quick to announce that Gao would not be fired. On 13 August 2011, he was officialy sacked.
As a player
With Tiong Bahru CSCTanjong Pagar United FC
Tanjong Pagar United Football Club is a professional football club in Singapore. The club took part in Singapore's S.League from 1996 to 2004. The club withdrew from the S.League after the 2004 season because of financial problems but returned to the S.League in 2011.Prior to the formation of the...
- President's Cup: 1994
With Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club (Simplified Chinese: 北京国安 is part of CITIC Group (China International Trust and Investment Corporation). Their current home stadium is Workers Stadium and the Fengtai stadium for less popular games. The current head...
- Chinese FA CupChinese FA CupThe Chinese FA Cup is the national knockout cup competition in China organised by the Chinese Football Association. Its current format started in the 1995 season.In the new season, 2011 it was announced, that current Chinese FA Cup will start in May....
: 1996
As a manager
With Xiamen Hongshi- China League One: 2005
With Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai
Changchun Yatai is a Chinese football team. It was founded on June 6, 1996 by Jilin Yatai Group at Changchun, Jilin. Their manager is Shen Xiangfu....
- Chinese Super LeagueChinese Super LeagueThe Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
: 2007Chinese Super League 2007The 2007 Chinese Super League season, the fourth since its establishment, started on March 3, 2007 and ended on November 14, 2007. This season is sponsored by Kingway brewery....
With China PR national football team
- East Asian Football Championship: 2010
See also
- For more information, see 2009 in Chinese football2009 in Chinese football-Domestic champions:-International results:-Chinese Super League 2009:||rowspan=2 style="background-color:white;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:white;"|||rowspan=7 style="background-color:white;"|-China League One 2009:...
and 2010 in Chinese football2010 in Chinese football-2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification:Group D-EAFF Championship:-Friendly matches:-Women's EAFF Championship:The final competition was held in Tokyo, Japan in February 2010...