Iran’s Afshin Ghotbi says Chinese football can be world-class as he prepares Shijiazhuang for Super League start
- The 56-year-old was part of Guus Hiddink’s coaching team who took South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals
- Much-travelled Ghotbi says he is fascinated by Chinese culture and its people and is in his second stint as Shijiazhuang coach
Afshin Ghotbi, the Iranian-American coach of Chinese Super League side Shijiazhuang Ever Bright, said the environment for football in China was perfect to help build a world-class national team.
Ghotbi is on his second stint with the newly promoted side, who start their campaign in the delayed and reformatted elite division on Sunday against Hebei China Fortune FC in Suzhou.
“The standard [in China] is evolving and will need time to reach its true potential,” said the 56-year-old former Iran national coach, who has worked at the top level in USA, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.
“China has everything to develop as a top football nation in Asia and later on the global stage. The players have the physical qualities, winning mentality and ambition for success.
“With the massive population, economic power and the national pride, the conditions are perfect for development of football in China.”
Ghotbi coached Ever Bright between 2016 and 2018 and returned to the club last year after a stint with Iranian side Foolad. He was assistant to South Korean national coach, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, during their run to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup.