21 Facts About Gao Hongbo

Gao Hongbo is a Chinese professional football manager and former player who played as a striker.

Gao Hongbo previously managed the China national football team from 2009 to 2011, and in 2016.

Gao Hongbo currently serves as the a vice-chairman of the Chinese Football Association.

Gao Hongbo was a big name in his professional life as a footballer.

Gao Hongbo was an assistant of Dutchman Arie Haan in the China national team between 2002 and 2004.

Gao Hongbo made a big achievement as a coach in 2007, as he led Changchun Yatai to take the title of the CSL.

Gao Hongbo returned as the head coach of the national team in February 2016.

Once in the top tier, his career would flourish and by the early 1990s Gao Hongbo had become an integral member within the team where he would personally win the golden ball and golden boot award despite not winning a major trophy.

When China qualified he would be included in the squad that would come third in the tournament, however it was in the 1994 qualification process for the World Cup that saw Gao Hongbo establish himself as a prominent member of the Chinese squad but despite his best efforts he was unable to help them qualify.

The next season saw him replaced by Edson Tavares and Gao remain as his assistant; however, Aristeu Tavares left Guangzhou Songri at the end of the 1998 league season and Gao Hongbo went on to succeed him as the head coach of the team at the beginning of the 1999 league season at the age of 33.

Gao Hongbo studied in several clubs in London and Southampton, and his long-time teammate Yang Chen invited him to study in Germany as well.

Gao Hongbo worked as an assistant coach in the national team between 2003 and 2004.

Gao Hongbo's career in Xiamen was a surprising success and he was able to transform Xiamen Hongshi into potential promotion contenders when he was able to take them to third within 2004 second tier.

Gao Hongbo led Changchun Yatai as League Champions in 2007.

Gao Hongbo was dismissed by Changchun in 2008 as the club struggled to repeat their form of the previous season.

Gao Hongbo is the first China national team coach that was chosen through an open selection process, which included four other candidates: Wu Jingui, Yin Tiesheng and Shen Xiangfu.

Under Gao Hongbo, China were able to gain 13 points in the Asian Cup qualifications for 2011.

In January 2010, Gao Hongbo secured qualification for the 2011 Asia Cup and has set the goal of winning the tournament to be held in January 2011.

On September 24,2011, Gao Hongbo became the head coach of Shaanxi Chanba.

In September 2015, Gao Hongbo was appointed as the assistant to manager Henk Fraser at Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag, a Dutch football team owned by Chinese Sports Marketing Company United Vansen.

Gao Hongbo was appointed the team's coach on 3 February 2016.