Third time returning to the mountain city! Zhang Wailong takes charge of Tongliang Long: short-term contract aims for promotion, bringing Chongqing football back to the top league

Written by reporters Luming and Hanbing On the afternoon of September 23, one day after Salvador left, veteran Korean coach Zhang Wailong officially inked a deal with Tongliang Long club. Though this comeback appeared sudden, for "Brother Long," both the place and the team are well known — when he departed in 2022, he vowed that someday he would return to Chongqing and that Chongqing football would rise again to the top league.

When it comes to foreign coaches most closely connected to Chongqing football, Zhang Wailong is probably the foremost. In 2021, he led the struggling Chongqing team to their best-ever Chinese Super League finish — sixth place. Unexpectedly, the team was dissolved the following year. When he left, his heart was filled with regret and helplessness.

Three years later, Zhang Wailong has returned with a promise. With only seven rounds left in China League One, he took over the coaching position from Salvador, aiming directly to "bring Chongqing football back to the top league."

Before this return to Chongqing, Zhang Wailong had coached the Chongqing team twice, with the second tenure being especially memorable. At that time, the club was heavily in debt but still demonstrated the "Chongqing spirit" on the Super League pitch. Although players and coaches resolved to continue playing despite unpaid wages, they could not prevent the club’s eventual dissolution.

Before leaving, Zhang Wailong shared a final meal with reporters and candidly said: "Chongqing cannot be without football. Over the years, I have seen all the staff, coaches, players, and related personnel here sincerely love football and work toward the same goal for Chongqing football — everyone is selfless and united. I believe this city can fully leverage Chongqing football as a foundation to make a name for itself in Chinese football."

After Chongqing’s team disbanded, Zhang Wailong expressed his hope to coach China’s youth national teams, applying his research on youth training from Korea and Japan, but this plan ultimately did not materialize.

Upon returning to Korea, Zhang Wailong continued serving on the Korean Football Association’s technical committee. In May 2025, after the KFA’s reorganization, he was elected as the deputy chairman responsible for technical affairs across all national teams.

Following the 2024 Asian Cup, the KFA was embroiled in a coaching selection scandal, with Jung Moon-kyu criticized for unilateral decisions. Zhang Wailong, however, was not deeply involved in the hiring process. According to senior Korean football insiders, due to Zhang’s straightforward personality, he has had little practical work in the KFA over two years, largely sidelined and kept away from core decision-making.

Zhang Wailong has been more active in public events: including donating exhibits to the Incheon United club’s 20th anniversary museum at the end of 2023; this year marks 20 years since he led Incheon United to the K League title, making him the central figure of the club’s commemorations. As the KFA’s deputy chairman in charge of national teams, his few recent public appearances mostly involved presenting awards to successful teams, such as the Korean U20 team reaching the U20 World Cup semifinals in 2023, and the Korean women’s national team winning the East Asian Cup this year.

However, Zhang Wailong has long wished to return to coaching, as the idle role at the KFA means little to him. In fact, over a month ago, Korean media reported his intention to return to Chinese football coaching, though the rumored target then was a Chinese Super League team, not Tongliang Long as it is now.

As Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic dissolved, Tongliang Long has been rapidly rising with youthful vigor: advancing swiftly from the China League Two, they quickly ascended to China League One. This team preserves a "spark" for Chongqing football.

When Tongliang Long was still in League Two, Zhang Wailong had already noticed the team. He said: "We see that Chongqing now has a new team. This team is growing step by step from the lower leagues for the future of Chongqing football. During this process, I will offer help whenever possible, hoping they can soon join the professional ranks and one day help Chongqing football return to the top league. When that time comes, I will also come back, hoping to bring back our fans and reignite their passion."

The promise made three years ago now finally has the chance to be fulfilled by his own hands.

At 3:15 pm on September 23, Zhang Wailong arrived early at the team meeting room to officially meet Tongliang Long’s first team. For him, taking over now means facing both pressure and challenges: the team has just suffered two consecutive defeats, with only a 3-point lead over the teams behind, and must face two consecutive away matches next — a crucial stage for promotion.

"Everyone must stay confident and determined to achieve promotion. I have been following the team and firmly believe you have the ability. Next, focus on maintaining balance between offense and defense," Zhang Wailong said.

After the encouragement, Zhang led the team through strength training in the gym, then moved to the field. Just like when he first arrived in the mountain city in 2016, his signature praying gesture remained familiar; afterward, he wrote three familiar words on the new Tongliang Long cap — "Effort, Patience, Sacrifice" — and added a new message: "Chongqing Tongliang Long, 2025 Dreams Become Reality."

It is understood that Zhang Wailong signed a short-term contract with the club, with the core goal of helping the team gain promotion. His coaching staff is relatively simple: Chongqing football veteran Qiu Weiguo returns, rehabilitation specialist Quan Hejun remains, both assisting Zhang alongside team leader Wu Qing; additionally, an assistant coach and translator may arrive in Chongqing soon.

With only seven rounds left in China League One, Tongliang Long’s most severe test lies in the upcoming two away matches. Zhang Wailong needs to quickly unify this youthful squad. As he said three years ago: "Over 30 million people in Chongqing love football, combined with the 'Chongqing spirit' we forged for Chongqing football before. This spirit will go down in history. We firmly believe Chongqing football will return to the top league and continue this spirit."