(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-10-23 20:17

BEIJING -- With the 2008 Olympic Games is just 10 months away, China has to seek a new foreign coach to lead its women's national soccer team after Swede Marika Domanski quit her post for "health, family and social reasons".

"After the World Cup, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) showed Marika their sincerity to extend their contract," team media officer Meng Hongtao told a press conference here on Tuesday.

"We have discussed the Olympic preparation plans as well as the development of the team several times, and she submitted the report on World Cup performance, the Olympic preparation plans and gave many constructive suggestions.

"But recently Marika and her assistants sent us a letter to request for termination of the contract for health, family and social reasons. We feel deep sorry for her decision, but we can fully accept and understand that. Thanks to Marika and her assistants for the contributions they brought to the team, and wish them good luck in the future," he added.

Domanski led the "Steel Roses" to the quarterfinals at the FIFA Women's World Cup last month before being knocked out by Norway 1-0. Although she didn't achieve the goal of reaching the last four, the big changes in morale, confidence of the players and some technical improvement really impressed CFA officials and Chinese fans.

Meng told reporters that the CFA is planning to recruit a "suitable" foreign coach to take over.

"We have some basic standards, e.g. the new coach must have experiences with top teams, and his coaching style and approach should be in accordance with the team's general character."

Local reports revealed that former French coach Elizabeth Loisel, Brazilian boss Jorge Barcellos are possible choices for the CFA, and that the nation's soccer governing body is likely to request the new coach to help win a medal at next year's Olympic Games.

Domanski was down to some illness during the World Cup, and she once admitted that loneliness in China was really a "big problem" for her.