Slaven Bilic departs Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan one year into his role, citing family illness in native Croatia
- Bilic joined Beijing Guoan in January 2021 and led the team to fifth spot in the 2021 CSL season
- The club said they supported the 53-year-old Croatian’s decision to return to Europe to be with his family amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Beijing Guoan manager Slaven Bilic is leaving the Chinese Super League club after one year, with Covid-19 concerns in his native Croatia behind the move.
The club said in a statement they supported the 53-year-old Croatian’s decision to return to Europe to be with his family amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The club fully understands and supports Bilic’s desire to return to Europe to accompany his family under the pandemic,” the statement said. “We wish Bilic all the best in his future work, and wish him and his family health and safety.”
Bilic joined Beijing Guoan in January 2021 after he was sacked by West Bromwich Albion. He led the team to fifth spot in CSL this season despite financial woes and Covid-19 restrictions that resulted in several top players leaving the club, including Cedric Bakambu, Renato Augusto and Jonathan Viera.
Bilic, a former West Ham and Everton defender, had a mixed year with Beijing Guoan, securing nine wins, over six draws and seven losses.
There is no word yet on a potential successor, with much of the CSL’s focus now shifting to the national team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.