The Chinese Football Association (CFA) have appointed Dejan Djurdjevic as interim head coach of the men’s national team following the dismissal of Branko Ivankovic earlier this month.

The 55-year-old Serbian coach, who previously oversaw China’s U-23 and U-19 sides, will take charge of the senior team during the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship in South Korea. His appointment comes in the wake of China’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a disappointment that brought Ivankovic’s tenure to an end.

In a statement released on 27 June, the CFA confirmed:

“The association has terminated the contract with Branko Ivankovic and appointed Dejan Djurdjevic as interim head coach of the men’s national team.”

Ivankovic, who took over the national team in February 2024, saw his contract automatically terminated after China finished fifth in their World Cup qualifying group with a record of three wins and seven defeats. The CFA extended its gratitude to the Croatian coach and his staff for their service, wishing them success in future endeavours.

Djurdjevic entrusted with transition

Djurdjevic, a former midfielder with stints at OFK Beograd and AIK Solna, has built a solid reputation as a developmental coach in Asia. Since March 2023, he has led China’s U-23 team to the quarter-finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games—an achievement not seen in 17 years—before guiding the U-19 side to qualification for the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup and another quarter-final finish.

The EAFF E-1 Championship, set to take place from 7 to 16 July in South Korea, will provide Djurdjevic with his first taste of senior national team management. China’s fixtures will include clashes against hosts South Korea (7 July), Hong Kong (11 July), and regional rivals Japan (15 July). All men’s matches will be staged at Yongin Mir Stadium, while the women’s tournament will be held in Suwon and Hwaseong.

Next chapter for China begins

While Djurdjevic’s appointment is initially temporary, the CFA have confirmed they will begin the process of appointing a full-time head coach following the conclusion of the EAFF tournament.

“The search for a permanent manager will be conducted in parallel, as part of the broader effort to restructure and rejuvenate the national team,” the statement read.

China enter the East Asian Championship in a transitional phase, with Djurdjevic tasked with steadying the side and restoring belief after a turbulent World Cup campaign. Whether his leadership during this interim period will be enough to stake a claim for the permanent role remains to be seen.