Chinese veteran coach buys Spanish club, media reports say

Xu Genbao is pictured during a training session of Shanghai SIPG in 2014. [Photo/IC]

A veteran Chinese football coach has reportedly bought up a Spanish club with a view to training more Chinese young footballers in Spain, according to Chinese media.

It is learnt a deal has been inked between a company owned by Xu Genbao and Lorca city in Murcia, Southeastern Spain, on the purchase of La Hoya Lorca CF. La Hoya Lorca CF is in Spain's third division, and the club has a youth academy of 1,200 players, which is said to be a major reason behind the purchase.

Xu Genbao is the general consultant of Shanghai SIPG Football Club, the runner-up of the 2015 Season Chinese Super League (CSL). Xu is known for developing talented young players in China.

Xu started his coach career in 1978, and he had managed two of the largest Chinese football clubs – Shanghai Shenhua and Dalian Wanda, winning league champions separately with the two teams. In 2000, Xu Genbao established a football training base in Shanghai, dedicating himself to developing young footballers.

The 72-year-old is quoted by Liberation Daily (or Jiefang Ribao) as saying "in most cases, Chinese enterprises purchase European clubs for business reasons" which he believed would not be much help in improving Chinese football.

Xu said through the purchase of La Hoya Lorca CF, he planned to bring more elite Chinese young players to Spain for training and then play for the club. He said the combination of quality training and professional matches can help Chinese players grow rapidly.

To contact the reporter: machi@chinadaily.com.cn