Five years have come to an end, as Xu Zhengyuan and Rongcheng part ways amicably.

Reporter Lu Mi reports. On December 18, the day following Xu Zhengyuan’s 55th birthday, the renewal saga between him and Rongcheng came to a close. Rongcheng Football Club formally declared that Xu Zhengyuan would no longer hold the position of first-team head coach. This Korean coach, honored by the club as a “Meritorious Head Coach,” spent five years elevating Rongcheng from China League One to the Chinese Super League and then to the Asian stage, delivering numerous classic matches. He respectfully exited by voluntarily relinquishing the option for a three-year contract extension, thus closing a historic chapter of cooperation.

For some time, Xu Zhengyuan experienced many twists and turns from nearing contract renewal to a suspension of talks. Earlier, the tug-of-war over the contract renewal lasted nearly a year. For both parties, such back-and-forth, if core issues remain unresolved, only results in wasted time and effort.

On December 18, Rongcheng Club finally made an official announcement that Xu Zhengyuan would no longer be the head coach of the first team, marking the end of the Xu Zhengyuan era at Rongcheng. In the statement, the club awarded him the title of “Meritorious Head Coach” and expressed that “Mr. Xu Zhengyuan will always be a highly respected and important member of the Rongcheng family.”

It is understood that Xu Zhengyuan will return to Chengdu next Monday to handle follow-up matters. The club plans to hold a special farewell ceremony for him, marking a heartfelt and respectful conclusion to five years of warmth and dedication.

Rewinding to 2021, when Rongcheng was still navigating China League One, Xu Zhengyuan took over the team with a clear objective: “We don’t want to be here a year from now.” This promise, made at his first public appearance, marked the beginning of his coaching career in China. The former Korean international brought not only mature tactical ideas but also an almost rigorous professional spirit. During the critical promotion phase of the fourth stage of the 2021 League One season, despite receiving the heartbreaking news of his mother’s passing in Korea, and under family advice and pandemic control considerations, he persevered through grief to lead the team through playoffs, bringing Sichuan football back to the Super League after a decade.

In the five years following promotion to the Super League, Xu Zhengyuan led this young team through an astonishing step-by-step rise: In the 2022 season, as a newly promoted team, they finished fifth in the league, setting a new record; in 2023, they steadily improved to fourth place, narrowly missing out on AFC Champions League qualification; in 2024 and 2025, they secured third place consecutively, achieving the club’s highest ever top-league points tally of 60. On the Asian stage, the team qualified for the AFC Champions League elite group stage for the first time in 2025, with away draws against Vissel Kobe and a last-minute win over Gangwon FC, marking the first time “Chengdu Power” shone across Asia.

By the time of his departure, Xu Zhengyuan had led the team in 183 official matches, achieving 102 wins, 45 draws, and 36 losses, with a 55.7% win rate ranking among the top active coaches in the Super League. Even more commendable was the football ecosystem he built: tactically, he established a high-intensity running system centered on fitness, fully activating key players like Romulo and Zhou Dingyang; in talent development, he boldly promoted local rising stars such as Hu Hetao, nurturing them into national team players.

In September 2023, during a ceremony commemorating Xu Zhengyuan’s 100th match, his record stood at 54 wins, 27 draws, and 19 losses, an 81% unbeaten rate, representing the brilliance he achieved together with Rongcheng Football Club.

This seemingly sudden departure was actually foreshadowed. According to the original contract, Xu Zhengyuan was entitled to an automatic three-year extension after qualifying the team for the AFC Champions League. Media reports also revealed that during renewal negotiations, Xu never requested a salary increase. The disagreement centered on the club’s new contract clauses introducing harsh penalties such as fines and dismissal, as well as disputes over coaching authority and recruitment decisions since the summer 2025 transfer window.

On July 17 this year, Xu Zhengyuan openly expressed conflicts at a pre-match press conference, stating, “Since winter, I have felt a lack of trust,” revealing issues like coaching staff changes and restrictions on his decision-making power. Although both sides later reconciled, the rift had already formed. After the season ended, when negotiating new contract details again, the differences in philosophy ultimately proved irreconcilable.

During the year-long tug-of-war over contract issues, public and fan opinions about Xu Zhengyuan were mixed. However, his final decision to forgo the initiative to renew and part ways amicably with Rongcheng is the most dignified outcome for both parties. Despite offers from clubs like Guoan and Jeonbuk, he has clearly stated his plan to take a year off and not consider coaching for now.

For Rongcheng, an even greater challenge is just beginning. The club’s announcement stated: “We are currently intensively advancing the selection of a new head coach and player recruitment and contract renewals. The team will continue to fight for the city’s honor.” After five years, as the farewell becomes final, the club’s words that “Xu Zhengyuan will forever be a highly respected and important member of the Rongcheng family” may be the city’s best tribute to its distinguished coach.