China’s humiliating exit from the Asian World Cup third qualifying round has left head coach Branko Ivanković on the brink of departure, with Chinese media reports indicating that the national team’s next manager is almost certain to be a foreign appointment.

According to Xinhua and other local outlets, the Croatian coach’s contract was structured around China’s World Cup qualification campaign, meaning it is set to expire immediately after their final group-stage clash against Bahrain on June 10. Despite speculation that Ivanković might remain in charge for the East Asian Cup in July, Chinese football insiders suggest that the Chinese Football Association (CFA) will not extend his deal—a move that effectively ends his tenure following the team’s underwhelming 18-team campaign.

China’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was sealed after a shock 1-0 defeat to Indonesia in their penultimate match—a result that capped a disappointing qualifying run in which they managed just two wins in nine games. The setback triggered fierce debate in the Chinese media, with Titan Sports Weekly and other prominent voices highlighting Ivanković’s tactical limitations and the apparent misalignment between his preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation and the national team’s player pool.

At 71, Ivanković’s age and the advanced stage of his career have also contributed to doubts over his suitability to lead China into the next World Cup cycle. “He’s already confused some of the players, and at his age, with declining memory and agility, it’s unrealistic to expect him to oversee another four-year cycle,” one Chinese football expert told local reporters.

Speculation over his replacement has already begun, with insiders noting that China is unlikely to appoint a domestic coach due to both a lack of suitable candidates and the intense pressure associated with the role. “No top Chinese coach is realistically equipped to handle the demands of the national team at this point,” Titan Sports Weekly suggested, adding that even local heroes like Yu Genwei lack the elite experience needed.

Instead, Chinese football authorities are expected to seek a foreign coach who can guide a transitional team into the next World Cup cycle. With many top coaches likely to become available after the 2026 tournament, the CFA may look for a “bridge manager” to oversee the upcoming East Asian Cup and the initial phase of the 2030 qualification campaign.

A potential caretaker appointment would buy time for the CFA to secure a high-profile foreign coach capable of transforming China’s tactical identity and building towards the long-term goal of World Cup qualification.

China’s next World Cup cycle will rely heavily on young talents like Wang Yudong, Liu Chengyu, and Kuai Jiwen, while veterans such as Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong will be expected to provide leadership as they reach the latter stages of their careers. “If the next coach can develop a clear system and help these players grow, perhaps in 2034 China can finally break through,” one observer remarked.

As China prepares for the East Asian Cup without a World Cup berth, the search for the right managerial figure has become a crucial step in shaping the nation’s footballing future.