Hong Kong coach Andersen resigns to seize offer he cannot refuse

Coach Jorn Andersen, who took the Hong Kong football team to new heights, has resigned to pursue an opportunity he cannot refuse - which is believed to involve a second-tier club in China and comes with a monthly salary of over HK$1 million.

In a press conference yesterday, the 61-year-old Norwegian confirmed his departure despite a year remaining in his contract.

"I have received an invitation from a club outside [of Hong Kong] that presents an opportunity I simply cannot refuse," Andersen said.

"It is with regret that I now bid farewell to the HK football scene. The past two-and-a-half years have been a fantastic journey."

He thanked the Hong Kong Football Association and the government as well as the team, players, and fans "who followed the team, which is very meaningful to me and HK football."

He added: "The HKFA has made every effort to retain me in my current position, and I am grateful for its unwavering support and sincerity and that's why I have repeatedly turned down offers from other clubs.

"I hope the HK team will achieve great success."

Acting HKFA chief executive Charles Cheung Yim-yau thanked Andersen and wished him success.

"After the Asian Games and Asian Cup, we wanted to extend his contract. The board agreed and offered him a new contract last week, which met all his requirements, but [Andersen] said he needed time," Cheung said.

"Unfortunately, we heard that he intended to leave us, and officially submitted his resignation."

Assistant coach Wolfgang Luisser, an Austrian, will take over for the World Cup qualifiers against Iran on June 6 and Turkmenistan on June 11. The manager of the Hong Kong under-23 team, Szeto Man-chun, will temporarily fill the vacancy as assistant coach, Cheung said.

Sources said Andersen will be joining Yunnan Yukun Football Club, currently competing in China League One - the second-tier league of China football.

The team currently tops the league table. Its coach Li Jinyu resigned last Thursday.

It is believed that this prompted the club to require Andersen to report to the team immediately and without allowing him to be on the sidelines for the two World Cup qualifiers.

Andersen is credited with revitalizing the Hong Kong team since taking charge in December 2021.

Many had cast doubts about his high-pressing style early on, due to the poor physicality of the players.

But he earlier this year proved his worth by bringing the team to the Asian Cup for the first time, and last year guided the team to third runner-up in the Hangzhou Asian Games - a team-best finish.

He also led the team to a win against China's national team in an international friendly for the first time since 1985.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com