"It's not worth hiring Lippi," Yi said, referring to the 2006 World Cup-winning manager's appointment as head coach of the Chinese team. Ever since the Chinese Football Association announced last month it had coaxed Lippi out of retirement, the national team's long-suffering fans have greeted the news with indifference, cynicism, and even a hint of outrage. Rather than celebrating the appointment of the most high-profile coach China has ever had, some supporters have balked at the size of Lippi's rumored contract. Chinese football authorities need more independence to do their work, Dreyer said. Outside Shanghai's Hongkou stadium, property manager Xu Chao said he preferred watching local club Shenhua because the national team's level of play was simply "unwatchable."

Source: New Zealand Herald November 04, 2016 07:22 UTC