What direction will Rongcheng take after the Xu Zhengyuan era?

Reporter Lu Mi reports After 1813 days and nights of dedication and hard work, it concluded with a calm goodbye. When Chengdu Rongcheng declared Xu Zhengyuan's exit, this Korean coach, known affectionately as "Coach Xu" by supporters, departed the city he poured his heart into, carrying five years of honor and attachment. From leading the team’s promotion from League One to the Super League, to twice reaching the top tier of the league and realizing the dream of the AFC Champions League, he forged the team’s ironclad resilience and deeply connected the club with the city’s culture. Although internal conflicts over contract disputes and transfer controversies eventually led to their parting ways, the thrilling comeback moments and the sea of red fans remain cherished memories for both sides. Xu Zhengyuan’s departure marks the end of an era for Rongcheng, which now stands at a crossroads, eager to write a new chapter of glory.

“My father went through an extremely difficult and prolonged period of reflection. After countless restless nights, he ultimately chose to respect the club’s decision and, after thorough communication and mutual understanding, decided to say goodbye.” After Xu Zhengyuan’s official departure, his son posted a lengthy message on social media, expressing the deepest gratitude to Chengdu’s fans and the city itself.

On the evening of the 19th, some fans rented a giant LED screen at a landmark location, displaying the message: “1813 days and nights of protection and dedication, thank you, Mr. Xu Zhengyuan! Thank you, Coach Xu! Chengdu’s eternal red.” This expression of farewell is also a form of tribute, though at this moment, fans, the Chengdu club, and Xu Zhengyuan are moving in different directions, each facing an uncertain future.

Five years is a long time—1813 days and nights enough for a new team to grow from inexperienced to mature, and enough for people to develop deep feelings for the team. Xu Zhengyuan, known as “Coach Xu,” implies he was the architect of this blueprint. And the Rongcheng team turned his vision into reality.

His son said: “During family dinners and gatherings with friends, my father would always talk about Chengdu. He would describe how wonderful the city is, how amazing the fans are, the journey they took together, and the hopes they held for the future.” When someone feels pride about something, the desire to share it is a natural human response.

Xu Zhengyuan led Chengdu Rongcheng from League One to the Super League, fulfilling fans’ 10-year wait. In their first Super League season, when few believed in the team, they responded to doubts with perseverance. From eight winless rounds at the start to finishing fifth in the league, the rise of the Sichuan army became undeniable.

From a newly promoted team finishing fifth, to fourth place the next year, tying points with Zhejiang in third and nearly making history by qualifying for the AFC Champions League. This team’s resilience means whatever wasn’t achieved before would eventually be accomplished. Last year, the team succeeded in finishing third and entered the AFC Champions League; after being “triple-killed” by Shandong Taishan in one season, Rongcheng avenged perfectly a year later. Countless passionate and moving moments on site are the most precious memories for Xu Zhengyuan and the team, marking their growth from youth to maturity.

Looking back on these five years, Xu Zhengyuan feels proud and has never regretted his choice. This farewell was described as “like having to part from a deeply loved one, causing a subtle ache.” Although two days had passed since making the decision, tears still fell when the official announcement came. Neither he nor his son said goodbye in their farewell messages. He leaves this city and team with gratitude, and all that happened here will be remembered by him and his family forever.

At the final moment, both Xu Zhengyuan and Chengdu Rongcheng found peace. After all, over the past year, amid the team securing AFC Champions League qualification and pushing for the league title, there had been prolonged internal conflicts.

After last season ended, the club and Xu Zhengyuan experienced a trust crisis: there were disagreements over the automatic three-year contract renewal clause in the original agreement, leading to lengthy negotiations. Additionally, transfer issues intensified tensions, such as the signing and usage of Carlon. It is known that Carlon involved a transfer fee but underperformed compared to Palacios’s disruptive impact and was absent for long periods due to injury and off-field issues. Managing four foreign players across three competitions was challenging, but fortunately, the domestic player structure of Chengdu Rongcheng had matured enough to carry the team through even difficult rotations.

During the mid-season second transfer window, the club took no action as the team faced its toughest schedule in August. Coupled with disputes during contract talks, Xu Zhengyuan publicly revealed conflicts with the club at the pre-match press conference in Tianjin, with Romulo, a team member, also sharing his views. Media reports suggested Xu’s actions at that time led the club to add extra clauses in renegotiations, eventually causing a complete split. Recently, after drawing with the AFC Champions League leaders Vissel Kobe in Japan, that match became Xu Zhengyuan’s final coaching appearance for Chengdu.

Before leaving Chengdu, reporters asked Xu Zhengyuan three questions: his most unforgettable moment, greatest regret, and proudest achievement. He first said, “The most memorable was the day we successfully promoted in the first year and last year’s confirmation to enter the AFC Champions League, fulfilling the promise to fans to compete on Asia’s stage.” His proudest moment was seeing the stadium always packed with fans, feeling their unwavering support wherever he and the team went, which gave him great comfort. He did not provide an answer regarding his greatest regret.

Finally, Xu Zhengyuan left a heartfelt message for the fans: “Football transcends borders, languages, and races; it is a wonderful sport everyone can enjoy together. From the day I first set foot in China and took charge of this team, I gave Chengdu everything I could. Though language barriers existed, communicating with players and watching them grow made me genuinely proud and honored. Even though I am leaving Chengdu, I will never forget the immense love shown by the fans.”

Over five years, Xu Zhengyuan guided Chengdu Rongcheng from League One to the AFC Champions League, engraving the city’s football glory with a 3-4-3 “wolf pack” tactic and iron resilience. With his departure, the tactical system, player structure, and team spirit that underpinned success all face challenges. In the post-Xu Zhengyuan era, Chengdu Rongcheng urgently needs to rebuild its tactics, personnel framework, and team character to maintain its momentum.

First, reconstructing the tactical system is Rongcheng’s top priority. Xu Zhengyuan’s high-press, fast counterattack, and flexible formation system closely matched the players’ technical and physical strengths. The team’s 34,981.20 meters run per game (the highest in the Super League) and 58% of goals scored in the second half originated from this style. Whether the new coach will continue this “fitness-first” philosophy remains unknown. However, it is essential to avoid merely copying the old system; adjustments must be made based on the players’ abilities within the new framework. If retaining the 3-4-3, wing attacks and center-back advances must be revitalized; if changing formations, the team must quickly rebuild attack-defense transition logic. Additionally, Xu’s era had a core dependency issue: the Romulo-Felipe pairing was the tactical heart, and if neutralized, match control suffered greatly. The new system must find more offensive outlets and continue the tradition of involving midfielders and defenders in attack.

Second, restructuring the personnel framework is the foundation of Rongcheng’s rebuild. Over five years, Chengdu Rongcheng established a healthy ecosystem combining practical foreign players with rising local stars and stable performances from mature domestic players. With Xu Zhengyuan’s departure and expiring player contracts, the team’s composition will undoubtedly change next season. Regarding foreign players, Felipe and Romulo have contracts, Goulfinkel is unlikely to renew, Timo is close to extending, and Carlon, who missed most of the 2025 season, may be replaced despite having a year left on his contract.

This year, Rongcheng conceded 28 goals and led the Super League in clean sheets, which laid the foundation for their success. Defensively, Yang Shuai is likely to leave, and Han Pengfei’s departure, once probable, may now be reconsidered due to recent developments. In midfield, Yan Dinghao is rumored to be linked with Liaoning Ironmen, with his status still undecided. Up front, Wei Shihao’s renewal is nearly complete, and the club plans to sign a top-performing domestic striker.

Rongcheng’s announcement states they are actively advancing head coach selection and player recruitment and contract renewals. It is foreseeable that in the post-Xu Zhengyuan era, broadening the talent pool, adding tactically compatible players, and preventing performance gaps due to key departures will be the club’s main goals. Furthermore, the club has emphasized youth development over the past five years, giving opportunities to young players like Hu Hetao, Mutalifu, and Li Moyu. Continuing this nurturing system under the new coach is necessary to sustain competitiveness and ensure long-term growth.

Finally, inheriting and reshaping the team’s character is crucial for maintaining morale. Over the past five years, the deep bond between the team and city culture forged a “never give up” iron-willed spirit and a formidable home atmosphere. From finishing fifth with modest investment in the first year to securing AFC Champions League qualification after increased investment, the team’s defining trait has always been rising to the occasion. Overcoming countless adversities to turn games around best illustrates their cohesion. Whether this spirit can be preserved is key to stabilizing the team before the new season begins.

The post-Xu Zhengyuan era rebuild is not a rejection of the past but an upgrade built on inheritance. Chengdu Rongcheng must use tactical reconstruction as its framework, personnel optimization as its flesh, and character inheritance as its soul to smoothly navigate the transition and keep the red waves of Phoenix Mountain surging on the Super League and AFC Champions League stages.