CHINA’S sports authorities are negotiating to end the contract of national soccer team manager Jose Antonio Camacho, state television said, after a humiliating defeat to Thailand.

    Meanwhile, Sina.com reported yesterday that former Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini had showed his interest in the China job, citing an Italian sports reporter’s tweet.

    “Last night, the China Football Association and men’s soccer head coach Camacho discussed contract termination,” China Central Television (CCTV) said Saturday.

    “Camacho himself expressed agreement but both sides still must negotiate details,” it said.

    China’s national team lost 1-5 to Thailand in a friendly game, the latest in a long line of humiliations for Chinese soccer.

    Under Camacho, China won seven matches out of 20, losing 11 and drawing two.

    In the latest FIFA rankings, China was in 95th position, up from an all-time low of 109 in March this year.

    On an Internet survey done by Sina.com, Chinese netizens have accused the soccer governing body itself of being responsible for the national team’s misfortunes, instead of Camacho being blamed for the poor results.

    More than 70 percent of respondents suggested it was the CFA’s incompetence that led to the national squad’s current predicament. Some fans expressed sympathy for Camacho, pointing out there are many issues in Chinese soccer that the coach was unable to control.

    Camacho’s dismissal is also being regarded as a hasty and unwise decision, which will ultimately have a negative impact on the national team.

    “Camacho left in a hurry, and his successor must come in a hurry, without any understanding, preparation or plan. The qualifier of the Asian Cup and World Cup will soon be upon us and time waits for no man. The day will never be bright without doing things the right way,” CCTV commentator He Wei wrote on Chinese microblogging site, Weibo.

    With the sponsorship of Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group, the CFA replaced domestic coach Gao Hongbo and signed a three-year contract with Camacho in August 2011.

    Instead of making improvements, however, the Spaniard’s tenure was a series of disappointments. Shortly after his appointment in 2011, China suffered an early knockout from the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The national team lost to Brazil 8-0 in a friendly in September, and saw its FIFA ranking slip to 109 — its all-time low — in March.

    According to a report on CCTV, the two sides are in talks about a payout. It will likely cost the CFA more than 7 million euros (US$9 million) for dumping Camacho and his coaching team 14 months before the expiry of their contract.

    Camacho’s departure again pushes Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande’s Italian coach Marcello Lippi to the forefront, who has not discounted the suggestion he could coach the national team in media interviews.

    (SD News)