China's national football coach, Zhu Guanghu, has apologised to fans after Uzbekistan knocked China out of the AFC Asian Cup, but has refused to quit. "I am sorry about the result as I arranged the formation and the tactics," he said during a press conference after the match, according to Sina.com. "My team didn't take the advantages, though my players created a few chances in the first half but the march was a real challenge of physical ability to my players," he added. Only three questions were allowed at the press conference, Sina reported. When asked "what's your personal plan after the game," Zhu said he wouldn't quit. "The team needs some adjustment, but we will obey the decisions from the Chinese Football Association," he said.
China is looking to former France striker Jean-Pierre Papin to replace Zhu as coach, according to a Reuters report. "Yes, I am a candidate for China coach. I am interested in that position, but perhaps I'm not the only one on the list," Titan Sports quoted Papin as saying. Papin, 43, who left RC Strasbourg in June after guiding the club to promotion to French Ligue 1, said he would talk with the CFA in Beijing later this month.
China is looking to former France striker Jean-Pierre Papin to replace Zhu as coach, according to a Reuters report. "Yes, I am a candidate for China coach. I am interested in that position, but perhaps I'm not the only one on the list," Titan Sports quoted Papin as saying. Papin, 43, who left RC Strasbourg in June after guiding the club to promotion to French Ligue 1, said he would talk with the CFA in Beijing later this month.