The number one candidate to help reform local soccer and the Hong Kong team's fortunes has turned down the job, forcing the Hong Kong Football Association to continue a worldwide search.
Veteran English coach Brian Eastick spent six days in Hong Kong late last month after being recommended by a headhunting company and was then given a week to consider the Hong Kong team job.
Eastick, who was England Under-20 team manager in this summer's World Cup in Colombia and assistant to Stuart Pearce with the Under-21s, watched Hong Kong's Senior Shield first-round match between TSW Pegasus and Kitchee and also had a brief coaching session with First Division club Sapling, comprising mainly Hong Kong U-21s.
But it appears that a secure job for the 60-year-old at the English FA won over the option of the challenging one in Hong Kong, a HKFA source said. 'He is already 60 and his job with the [English] Football Association is pretty much secured,' the source said. 'He may think it's too risky if he chooses to come to a new environment at this time of his life.
'He is an experienced coach and fits our requirements. However, there is nothing we can do about it if he does not want to come.
'But we are sure there are other people who can do the job, and maybe we have to be a bit more patient.'