Zhang Honggen
Encyclopedia
Zhang Honggen was a former Chinese
international football player and coach. As a player, he was one of the first footballers to play for the People's Republic of China
at the international level, and as a coach, he was among the very first managers to manage a fully professional Chinese football club, with his stint at Dalian Wanda.
to take part in China's first ever qualification for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
. Despite not qualifying he was recognised as being China's best ever player. As a vital member of the Chinese team and was praised for being technically sophisticated and having delicate footwork with a clear-head who was also good at both defensive and offensive play. This saw him remain a vital member of the team for several years even though China did not enter any further competitions and by 1965 Zhang Honggen retired in due to a injury.
in 1977 as manager of the Chinese football team, however his reign was uneventful and he left after only a year. He would return twice to this position in 1979 and 1982 to help the team for short periods, however these were again uneventful. In the 1985 Summer Universiade
he guided China to a third place position before he moved away from football and took several sport positions that included the National Sports Commission Training Council Advisory Committee, the National Sports Commission and the Sports Services Inc. as well as a position in the Chinese Football Association coaches committee. In 1994 he returned to management with Dalian Wanda and won the league title with them in his first attempt, however after that victory he decided to become the teams advisor. Once more returning to management in 1999 with second tier club Chengdu Blades
he only served for a short period because he was diagnosed of gastric cancer and had to resign, in 2003 he would later die of gastric pain.
Dalian Wanda
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
international football player and coach. As a player, he was one of the first footballers to play for the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
at the international level, and as a coach, he was among the very first managers to manage a fully professional Chinese football club, with his stint at Dalian Wanda.
Football career
Zhang Honggen began his football career playing for the South China team until he turned eighteen when he was selected by the Chinese Head coach Li FenglouLi Fenglou
Li Fenglou was a highly influential figure within Chinese football. He was predominantly known for being the People's Republic of China's first football coach as well as being the Chairman of the Chinese Football Association while in his youth he would also be a football player.-Playing career:Li...
to take part in China's first ever qualification for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
. Despite not qualifying he was recognised as being China's best ever player. As a vital member of the Chinese team and was praised for being technically sophisticated and having delicate footwork with a clear-head who was also good at both defensive and offensive play. This saw him remain a vital member of the team for several years even though China did not enter any further competitions and by 1965 Zhang Honggen retired in due to a injury.
Management career
Despite being only being thirty years old when he retired, Zhang Honggen would eventually move to management with Beijing Youth Team in 1970. After several seasons he replaced Nian WeisiNian Weisi
Nian Weisi is a renowned Chinese association football manager and former international football player. He is best known for his time as the Chinese national football team's manager, which he managed intermittently for over twenty years...
in 1977 as manager of the Chinese football team, however his reign was uneventful and he left after only a year. He would return twice to this position in 1979 and 1982 to help the team for short periods, however these were again uneventful. In the 1985 Summer Universiade
1985 Summer Universiade
The 1985 Summer Universiade, also known as the XIII Summer Universiade, took place in Kobe, Japan.-Mascot:Name: UNITANArtist: Osamu Tezuka...
he guided China to a third place position before he moved away from football and took several sport positions that included the National Sports Commission Training Council Advisory Committee, the National Sports Commission and the Sports Services Inc. as well as a position in the Chinese Football Association coaches committee. In 1994 he returned to management with Dalian Wanda and won the league title with them in his first attempt, however after that victory he decided to become the teams advisor. Once more returning to management in 1999 with second tier club Chengdu Blades
Chengdu Blades
Chengdu Blades F.C. is a professional football club based in Chengdu, PR China who currently plays in the 42,000 seater Chengdu Sports Centre in the Chinese Super league...
he only served for a short period because he was diagnosed of gastric cancer and had to resign, in 2003 he would later die of gastric pain.
Honours
As a managerDalian Wanda
- Chinese Jia-A LeagueChinese Jia-A LeagueThe National Football Jia A League , commonly known as Jia-A , was the highest tier of professional football in the People's Republic of China, during 1994 through 2003, operating under the auspices of the Chinese Football Association.The Chinese Professional Football League was established in 1994...
: 1994Chinese Jia-A League 1994-Overview:It was performed in 12 teams, and Dalian Wanda won the championship.-Managerial changes:-League standings:-Top scorers:-References:** at Zuqiuziliao.cn...
External links
- Zhang Honggen Biography at titan24.com