Breaking Records Again! Reports Reveal China’s New Head Coach Salary Budget Exceeds ¥10 Million After Tax

China’s New Head Coach Salary Budget Sets a New Benchmark—Over ¥10 Million After Tax!

The search for the Chinese national football team’s new head coach has once again sparked heated discussion—this time because of the money on the table. According to journalist Song Chengliang from The Paper, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has officially raised the salary benchmark for the next national team manager, with the after-tax budget now surpassing an impressive ¥10 million. No wonder so many high-profile foreign coaches are rushing to apply.

A Step Up from Janković’s Era
When Aleksandar Janković was in charge, his annual salary stood at around €1.2 million after tax—just shy of ¥10 million. While that number might not sound monumental compared to world football’s giants, it actually placed him on par with South Korea’s head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner and former manager of both Germany and Bayern Munich. For the CFA to match that level for a coach whose European résumé consisted mainly of youth teams and mid-tier clubs was already a statement. By Asian standards, it was considered high compensation.

The New Salary Range—Attractive by Any Standard
This time, the CFA has raised the bar. Song Chengliang revealed the new budget range: $1.2 million to $1.5 million after tax, with the upper limit converting to roughly ¥10.7 million. For many second- and third-tier European managers, this figure is extremely tempting. Outside of elite clubs, even established European coaches don’t often enjoy a guaranteed post-tax package of over €1 million.

Why the Flood of Applicants?
The lucrative offer has had its intended effect. Reports indicate that between 40 and 50 coaches have submitted applications for the national team role, including several with top-flight European league experience. Realistically, without such a competitive salary, few would be willing to take on the daunting task of leading China’s underperforming national squad under immense pressure. The CFA’s willingness to “pay up” shows a strong desire to bring in a coach who can make a tangible difference.

The Road Ahead
There’s no denying it—China’s coaching budget has reached a new milestone. While it still falls short of the multi-million euro deals enjoyed by truly world-class managers, within Asia it firmly places the national team among the highest-paying jobs. The big question now: will the money translate into results?

With over 40 candidates in the mix, the decision will shape not only the next three years of the national team but potentially the future of Chinese football itself. The right coach could mark a turning point that fans have long been waiting for.