Chris Coleman to break down language barrier in China with THREE interpreters at Hebei China Fortune
Ex-Wales boss takes charge for the first time when new club travel to Dalian Yifang for their Super League clash today
CHRIS COLEMAN aims to break down the language barrier in China with THREE interpreters.
The former Wales boss takes charge in the Far East for the first time when new club Hebei China Fortune travel to Dalian Yifang for their Super League clash today.
Coleman, 48, has already managed twice on foreign soil — with Real Sociedad in Spain and Greek side Larissa.
But he admits the lingo in China, where the most common dialect is Mandarin, will be a challenge.
Coleman, back in management after being axed by Sunderland in April, said: “China is a big move from the UK and it will be a big challenge as the culture is very different.
“I enjoyed my spells in Spain and Greece before and I always said I fancied going abroad again.
“I learnt a bit of Spanish but found Greek too hard.
“The language in China will be extremely difficult but I have three interpreters at training to help with the players. I’ve even been offered one 24 hours a day if I need it.
“But football is a universal language and I’m sure we will be OK.”
Coleman — who has signed a 2½-year contract worth more than £3.5million a year — will be joined in Beijing by wife Charlotte and their two children this month as he plans to show his commitment to Hebei despite being more than 5,000 miles from home.
Cookie added: “I did have a conversation with Charlotte but our children are young. I aim to stay here as long as I can and I will work as hard as I can.”
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He succeeds West Ham chief Manuel Pellegrini and, after a mid-season break for the World Cup, has high-profile trio Javier Mascherano, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gervinho in his ranks.
Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaabi has already signed but Coleman is keen to further strengthen his squad.
He said: “I hope to build. We will have two transfer windows and the idea is to bring in strikers. You only have to look at some of the players China have attracted already.
“There are big financial rewards for top players. It’s an exciting league.
“We’ve the likes of Mascherano and Lavezzi but we hope to add to the squad.”
Hebei lie 11th in the 16-team division, so Coleman has his work cut out.
He added: “After Sunderland, I had planned to take some time out unless it was something that really excited me at a club with real potential.
“But I was contacted for some talks with Hebei and they have the ambition and the target of qualifying for the Asian Champions League in the next 18 months.
“I didn’t think twice about it. I had two fantastic meetings with the owners and thought, ‘I really want to do this’.”
SunSport can reveal interest in Coleman from China started after he guided Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
But Cookie remained loyal to his country for a push towards World Cup qualification, which failed to materialise, before a short stint at Sunderland ended in relegation to League One.
Coleman said: “Because of what had happened at the Euros in France I felt it wasn’t the right time for me.
“Then after we failed to qualify for the World Cup, Sunderland came in.
“But Hebei are a big club, it’s a big opportunity. With any job you can analyse it too much and find enough reasons why you shouldn’t do it.
“But I know the industry. You could be in a job for six months or two years nowadays.”