CSL Brother Derby! Rumor: Chengdu Rongcheng Set to Hire Australian Star’s Younger Brother, Former A-League Champion and World Cup Hero

Following the departure of legendary coach Xu Zhengyuan, the question of who will lead Chengdu Rongcheng has been widely anticipated. On December 29, renowned journalist Xu Jiang reported that Australian coach John Aloisi is close to signing as the club’s head coach for the upcoming season.

Rongcheng and Aloisi have reportedly agreed on contract terms and performance expectations. The club requires a new coach with experience in Europe’s top five leagues and a history of winning league titles.

As a player, Aloisi helped Australia reach the World Cup finals. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, he scored a crucial goal against Japan, securing a 3-1 comeback and helping Australia reach the Round of 16 for the first time. He also played for top European clubs, including Standard Liège, Coventry, and Osasuna.

After retiring, Aloisi coached Melbourne City and Western United, winning the A-League title with Western United in 2021-22. Currently, he is unattached after Western United failed to gain league entry. He was once close to coaching the Australian national team but did not take the role.

Notably, 49-year-old John Aloisi is the younger brother of Ross Aloisi, 52, the current head coach of Zhejiang. The new CSL season may feature a rare “brother derby” on the sidelines.