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China head coach Shao Jiayi. Photo: Lucas Petrou<\/p>\nAs AAMI Park filled up in anticipation ahead of the Socceroos\u2019 final match on home soil before the FIFA World Cup, there was a press conference taking place in the depths of the stadium.<\/p>\n
China head coach Shao Jiayi was fronting the media following the world number 93\u2019s 2-0 loss to Cameroon in their FIFA Series fixture in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
This journalist was the only local reporter to listen in on Shao\u2019s post-game thoughts among a strong cohort of travelling Chinese media.<\/p>\n
It was an opportunity to ask Shao about the influence of Australian coaches on Chinese football amid Kevin Muscat\u2019s success with Shanghai Port.<\/p>\n
Back-to-back Chinese Super League titles to go with a cup crown since arriving in Shanghai in 2024. The Australian legend\u2019s 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\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
In 2026, there will be three other Australian head coaches. Ross Aloisi\u00a0has been appointed by Zhejiang FC\u00a0after two seasons as Muscat\u2019s assistant at Port, brother\u00a0John Aloisi\u00a0is the new coach of Chengdu Rongcheng, while Englishman\u00a0Nick Montgomery\u00a0\u2013 who is also an Aussie citizen \u2013 is at the helm of Beijing Guoan.<\/p>\n
Asked about the impact of Muscat and Australians in the country, Shao told Football360: \u201cIt\u2019s a very good thing for many foreign coaches, such as Australian coaches, they\u2019re coaching in China.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey bring some good things to China football.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, they tell the players to play as a team and they have faster transitions in the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say thank you for all the foreign coaches. They help players adapt quicker when they come into the national team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what I want to say appreciation to the foreign coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
China head coach Shao Jiayi. Photo: Lucas Petrou<\/p>\n
Shanghai Port<\/p>\n
Eyeing a three-peat with the defending champions, Muscat is joined by trusted assistant\u00a0Vincenzo Ierardo\u00a0and high performance guru\u00a0Greg King. There is also a new face on Port\u2019s coaching staff.<\/p>\n
With Ross Aloisi moving on, Muscat has brought in Socceroos legend and former Olyroos boss\u00a0Tony Vidmar\u00a0to fill the void.<\/p>\n
That means Port\u2019s Aussie quartet has been restored as they target a fourth domestic title after last week\u2019s Chinese Super Cup defeat to Beijing Guoan.<\/p>\n
Chengdu Rongcheng<\/p>\n
There is a new face in the dugout of Chengdu Rongcheng, who are looking to improve on their third-placed finish last season.<\/a><\/p>\n John Aloisi\u2019s appointment represents his first coaching foray abroad after his Championship-winning exploits with Western United in the A-League Men.<\/p>\n The Socceroo icon\u2019s move to China has seen him bring in some familiar faces \u2013 ex-Western assistant Diogo Ferreira and analyst Harry Reading \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Beijing Guoan<\/p>\n