Once 0-8 against England! Report: 52-year-old Chinese women's football foreign coach resigns, likely to be replaced by a domestic coach for the Asian Games

On July 22, Beijing time, confirmed by domestic authoritative media, 52-year-old Australian coach Ante Milicic has submitted his resignation request to the Chinese Football Association for personal reasons.

This means that the Chinese women's football team will be led by a new head coach or an interim coach to participate in the Nagoya Asian Games. Various signs indicate that Milicic's successor is likely to be a domestic coach.

In May 2024, Milicic took over as head coach of the Chinese women's football team. At the Asian Cup in March this year, Milicic led the team to beat North Korea and reach the semifinals, but ultimately lost 1-2 to Australia, missing the final.

Since taking office, Milicic's coaching record has not been impressive. The Chinese women's team suffered a 1-4 defeat to the Netherlands in a friendly and a 0-8 loss to England.

In June this year, during two warm-up matches, the Chinese women's team lost to the Russian women's team for the first time in history, and were "swept" at home.

After the Asian Cup, Milicic had already been under scrutiny regarding his dismissal. If he resigns voluntarily, it means he will leave the position of head coach of the Chinese women's team after just two years, ending his tenure in disappointment.

The draw ceremony for the women's football event of the Nagoya Asian Games will be held on the 23rd. A total of 12 teams will participate in this tournament. The Chinese women's team, ahead of North Korea, is seeded in the first tier along with Japan and South Korea.