Gary White to Hong Kong: manager wants to continue in Taiwan but has waited three months to discuss new deal, report says
Englishman’s backroom staff confirm he has two offers on the table, one is from Hong Kong
No one at the Taiwan Football Association wanted to discuss the future of national team manager Gary White despite having just two months left on his contract, prompting White to look for jobs elsewhere, reports in Taiwan said.
“We have contributed a lot for the team over the last 10 months and have been seeking a new contract,” the report quoted a member White’s backroom staff as saying. “But there has been no response from the Taiwan Football Association over the last three months.
“White likes Taiwan very much. He and his backroom staff also feel very happy working in Taiwan and consider the team has strong potential for future development. But because of some political reasons, we have not gained the respect that we deserve and the support that we need. We feel sorry about this.”
The Taiwan Football Association is undergoing an election period and no one wanted to take up the matter with White and his team at this stage, it was reported.
White’s team confirmed they had received two offers and one is from Hong Kong.
“It should not be too surprised by the invitation [to take over Hong Kong]. After all, we have been doing a good job here, but White has not yet decided whether he will leave Taiwan and work elsewhere. There is still time.”
Since his appointment in September as head coach and technical director of Taiwan, White led the team to win each of their six home matches, including a surprising 2-1 victory over Bahrain in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Taiwan lost the reverse match 5-0.
Although, similar to Hong Kong, Taiwan did not qualify for the Asian Cup finals in UAE next year, it has achieved its best ever Fifa ranking of 121. Hong Kong is currently 142nd.
The report also quoted Taiwan captain Chen Po-Liang, saying the results since White’s appointment prove the team is on the right track.
“If he decides to move to Hong Kong, we would wish him the best,” Chen said.
