As AAMI Park filled up in anticipation ahead of the Socceroos’ final match on home soil before the FIFA World Cup, there was a press conference taking place in the depths of the stadium.
China head coach Shao Jiayi was fronting the media following the world number 93’s 2-0 loss to Cameroon in their FIFA Series fixture in Melbourne.
This journalist was the only local reporter to listen in on Shao’s post-game thoughts among a strong cohort of travelling Chinese media.
It was an opportunity to ask Shao about the influence of Australian coaches on Chinese football amid Kevin Muscat’s success with Shanghai Port.
Back-to-back Chinese Super League titles to go with a cup crown since arriving in Shanghai in 2024. The Australian legend’s success has not got unnoticed, not only abroad amid strong links with Scottish giants Rangers but within China. So much so that rival clubs have gone down the Aussie coaching path in an attempt to replicate Muscat’s work.
In 2026, there will be three other Australian head coaches. Ross Aloisi has been appointed by Zhejiang FC after two seasons as Muscat’s assistant at Port, brother John Aloisi is the new coach of Chengdu Rongcheng, while Englishman Nick Montgomery – who is also an Aussie citizen – is at the helm of Beijing Guoan.
Asked about the impact of Muscat and Australians in the country, Shao told Football360: “It’s a very good thing for many foreign coaches, such as Australian coaches, they’re coaching in China.
“They bring some good things to China football.
“For example, they tell the players to play as a team and they have faster transitions in the game.
“I want to say thank you for all the foreign coaches. They help players adapt quicker when they come into the national team.
“This is what I want to say appreciation to the foreign coaches.”
China head coach Shao Jiayi. Photo: Lucas Petrou
Shanghai Port
Eyeing a three-peat with the defending champions, Muscat is joined by trusted assistant Vincenzo Ierardo and high performance guru Greg King. There is also a new face on Port’s coaching staff.
With Ross Aloisi moving on, Muscat has brought in Socceroos legend and former Olyroos boss Tony Vidmar to fill the void.
That means Port’s Aussie quartet has been restored as they target a fourth domestic title after last week’s Chinese Super Cup defeat to Beijing Guoan.
Chengdu Rongcheng
John Aloisi’s appointment represents his first coaching foray abroad after his Championship-winning exploits with Western United in the A-League Men.
The Socceroo icon’s move to China has seen him bring in some familiar faces – ex-Western assistant Diogo Ferreira and analyst Harry Reading – after they all worked together in Tarneit. Strength and conditioning coach Alex Calder has also been lured to Chengdu after a lengthy stint with Houston Dynamo in MLS.
Beijing Guoan
After 23 years without a Super Cup trophy, Montgomery led Guoan – fourth in the CSL in 2025 – to a 2-0 upset of Muscat’s Port last week.
A UEFA Europa League winner with Tottenham, where he was one of Ange Postecoglou’s assistants, the Beijing job represents his first head coaching role since leaving Central Coast for Scottish side Hibernians in 2023 after ending the Mariners’ 10-year Championship drought.
Zhejiang FC
Aloisi returns to the head coaching arena for the first time since leaving Brisbane Roar for Shanghai in 2024 and the 52-year-old has surrounded himself with two familiar Aussies at Zhejiang, who placed fifth last year.
Luciano Trani is one of Aloisi’s assistants, reuniting after the pair’s time together in Brisbane
The other assistant is David Zdrilic. The former RB Leipzig youth boss was recently in charge of Perth Glory before his dismissal in October last year.