Tongliang Long & Liu Jianye: The Chinese Super League Dream Journey of a First-Year Rookie

Reporter Lu Mi reports In mid-December, Liu Jianye and his coaching team started their preparations in Tongliang for the club’s first season in the Chinese Super League. Switching out Zhang Wailong for a young domestic coach without prior CSL coaching experience is clearly a major challenge for Tongliang Long, the newly promoted side. Yet, for Liu Jianye, this coaching stint is equally a valuable chance in his professional path. Their connection began when Tongliang Long lost away to Dingnan Ganlian, where Liu Jianye’s sharp tactical analysis almost ended Tongliang Long’s promotion hopes. Against this backdrop, expectations are high for the sparks to fly between Tongliang Long and Liu Jianye.

When the invitation from Chongqing Tongliang Long came, Liu Jianye’s mind was stirred. After Tongliang Long’s 1-2 defeat to Dingnan Ganlian in their 2025 home match, Liu Jianye started a deep study of the team that had beaten him. The second league encounter between the two teams coincided with a critical phase in Tongliang Long’s promotion campaign. In the Dingnan match, Liu Jianye tactically assigned a player to tightly mark Xiang Yuwang, leaving a strong impression on Tongliang Long’s investors. It was the first time this season in China League One that anyone had so precisely contained the formidably in-form captain of Tongliang Long. Xiang Yuwang not only failed to score but barely had any effective shots on goal during that game.

This recognition brought Liu Jianye both joy and inner conflict. As a newcomer in coaching circles, he never imagined receiving interest from a Chinese Super League club. This affirmation showed him the value of his coaching philosophy and boosted his confidence to pursue higher goals. Yet, the dilemma arose: on one hand, his contract with Dingnan Ganlian was still valid, making him cautious about his decision; on the other hand, as a young coach, he worried whether he could shoulder the responsibility of leading a CSL team, fearing he might disappoint the investors. “Boss, aren’t you worried I might not manage the team well?” This straightforward question revealed his anxiety and sincerity.

In response to Liu Jianye’s concerns, the Tongliang Long club gave a clear reply: since they decided to nurture young domestic coaches, they were mentally prepared for the challenges. This was the club’s commitment to Liu Jianye and part of their long-term strategy. The club valued not only Liu’s tactical intelligence shown in the previous encounter but also his diligent and pragmatic character. Liu Jianye’s approach of tailoring tactics to the team’s actual situation aligns perfectly with the club’s philosophy of developing young players and cultivating local coaches. This trust strengthened Liu Jianye’s resolve to embrace the challenge.

After joining Tongliang Long, Liu Jianye quickly immersed himself in intense work. Currently, the team is in a critical phase of physical recovery and player recruitment, often keeping him busy until late at night. He meticulously studies every player’s profile to identify those best suited for the team’s tactical setup. During training camps, he closely monitors players’ physical recovery and personally participates in passing and confrontation drills, gaining a precise understanding of each player’s technical, tactical skills, and physical condition. Moreover, Liu actively communicates with Xiang Yuwang and Li Zhenquan, both members of the U22 national team. All these detailed efforts aim to thoroughly prepare the club for its first-ever top-tier league season. Liu Jianye fully understands that only through solid preparation can he live up to the investors’ trust and face the intense competition of the Chinese Super League effectively.

During his time at Dingnan, the club gave Liu Jianye great autonomy. He was almost solely responsible for core tasks such as designing training plans and recruiting players. This ample freedom allowed him to grow quickly through practical experience. Leading a team independently in the new CSL season will serve as a crucible for a young coach like him to truly hone his skills. Compared to China League One, the Chinese Super League demands higher levels of competition intensity, tactical complexity, and management standards. Every decision and match will comprehensively test his abilities.

In the 2026 Chinese Super League, emerging coaches like Liu Jianye are benefiting from league policies supporting young domestic coaches and the open mindset of clubs. Clubs are willing to provide time and space for young coaches to gain experience and correct mistakes in practice. This tolerance mechanism is fertile ground for young coaches’ growth. Liu Jianye also hopes to repay this trust through his efforts, aiming to prove that young domestic coaches deserve confidence and that the CSL platform can nurture more talented local coaches who dream big and take responsibility.