Hong Kong football coach Jorn Andersen open to ‘interesting offers’, unhappy at FA’s Asian Cup no-shows
- ‘It was Hong Kong’s first time in the Asian Cup for 56 years, and no one from the board was there – I was disappointed,’ Andersen says
- Norwegian admits he has to ‘accept many, many things I do not like’ in national team role, including his staff being on part-time contracts
Jorn Andersen is considering his future as Hong Kong head coach, after receiving “interesting offers” from elsewhere after the national team’s Asian Cup finals exploits last month.
The Norwegian refused to talk to suitors before the tournament in Qatar, but is now “more open” to exploring different opportunities.
He said he would not quit a job he “loves” for a sideways step, but the 61-year-old admitted professional ambition would override sentiment, if he was presented with an attractive proposal.
“I really do not know if I will stay, or not,” Andersen told the Post. “Interesting offers are coming in … I said no to many jobs before the Asian Cup. Now, I am more open to seeing what will happen.”
Since his appointment in December 2021, Andersen has led Hong Kong to Asian Cup qualification for the first time since 1968, beaten China in a one-off game, and overseen the under-23s’ progress to last year’s Asian Games semi-finals.
Beyond those tangible achievements, he has transformed a defensive, bashful side, into a courageous, aggressive and competitive unit, and forged a strong bond between the Hong Kong team and its fervent supporters.