Kang Hee Continues His China Journey: Can Choi Kang-hee Lead Shandong Taishan to Greater Heights?

Shandong Taishan, a name filled with ambition and aspirations, is now surrounded by a sense of uncertainty. It is regrettable that coach Hao Wei had to leave the stage where he had devoted so much effort for various reasons. In an instant, a familiar name came back into the spotlight — Choi Kang-hee. The accomplished coach, who left a significant mark during his time with the South Korean national team, will take over as the head coach of Shandong Taishan. Chinese football and him have once again formed a connection, which is undoubtedly something to look forward to.

How many fans still remember that thrilling Chinese FA Cup final? Shanghai Shenhua, led by Choi Kang-hee, eventually lifted the trophy symbolizing glory, while Shandong Taishan suffered defeat at the time. Now, the person who once guided a rival team has instead become the helmsman of Shandong Taishan. This dramatic reversal has made everyone wonder: can Shandong Taishan achieve a revival and soar to greater heights because of this?

Admittedly, the ability of Korean coaches is beyond doubt. Challenging for the AFC Champions League title may require the right timing, conditions, and support, but they can certainly inject strong fighting power into a team. In Chinese football, foreign coaches generally have better records than domestic coaches, while Korean coaches have gained widespread recognition for their high cost-effectiveness. From Lee Jang-soo and Jang Woe-ryong to today's Choi Kang-hee, they share some common characteristics. There have been criticisms regarding limited use of substitutes and conservative tactics, but their almost strict demands for running ability, rapid counterattacks, and disciplined player management both on and off the pitch are their distinctive strengths. These seemingly demanding requirements ensure that even when a team cannot fully explode at crucial moments, its performance will not fall into complete disorder. Perhaps Korean coaches cannot help a team break through every ceiling, but they can at least steadily raise the team's baseline and avoid disappointing collapses.

What Shandong Taishan truly needs is a team that never stops moving. Whenever they suddenly collapse in AFC Champions League matches, that sense of helplessness follows closely. The main reason is largely insufficient running, with effective running distance difficult to guarantee. In attack, the team lacks penetration; in defense, counterattacks lack power and weaknesses are exposed. To completely prevent such painful lessons and show stronger competitiveness in the Chinese Super League, Shandong Taishan must make the decision to increase their running volume and engrave the idea that running is the foundation of tactics deep into the team's identity. This reunion carries the expectations of countless fans. Hopefully this time, Choi Kang-hee's connection with Chinese football will not be brief, but will continue for a much longer time. Let us wait and see whether this veteran coach can bring new hope and new glory to Shandong Taishan.