Tony DiCicco, who led the US women's football team to the 1999 World Cup championship and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medal, is no longer on the cards to become coach of China's women's national team, as announced on Tuesday by Zhang Jianqiang, director of Women's football department of China Football Association (CFA).

Zhang said DiCicco would not be coming to China for further negotiations because of some family problems, ending a long-time speculation of the gold coach's move to China.

Zhang revealed the CFA had offered an annual payment of US$300,000 for the American, a rare figure for a women's football coach.

"DiCicco's wife did not want him to come to China. He is a very devoted family man," Zhang said.

But family is actually not the only hindrance.

In the previous talks between his agency and the CFA, there is some discrepancy on the tenure of the contract.

DiCicco had insisted the contract run until 2008, but the CFA insisted the length would depend on results.

The CFA also wanted to set up a coaching group consisting of other Chinese coaches while DiCicco said he would prefer to bring a group from the US.

Home coach Wang Haiming is now the hottest favorite to take the job.

Wang, who led the Chinese women's youth football team into the final of FIFA U-19 World Championship where they were runners-up to champions Germany, was announced as the leader of nation's coaching team on Tuesday.

His outstanding work with the under 19 women has been noticed in the football corridors of power in Beijing and he is expected to take up the job soon.

"I am confident I have the ability to manage the team well," said Wang, who is now training the national members in Qingyuan of Guangdong Province.

"There are lots of factors that need to be considered when the CFA chooses the national coach. I have experience in coaching some clubs and the youth team. I am better at knowing the specific situation in China than foreign coaches and how to boost the morale of Chinese players."

Zhang said China did not dismiss the possibility of inviting some foreign experts to offer extra help.

"We are still in close contact with FIFA and keep on scouting high-level and experienced foreign experts," Zhang said.

China has fallen on hard times in women's soccer recently. It was eliminated 1-0 by Canada in the 2003 World Cup quarter-finals and then suffered humiliation as it failed to advance from the first round at the Athens Games, losing one of its two group matches including a humiliating 8-0 to Germany.

"We lag behind the world's football in stamina and strength. During this training, I will pay more attention on those problems," Wang said.

"We have to admit this team is poorer than the previous national team. Compared to four years ago, the team lacks the spirit of never-say-die and the atmosphere of unity. We need time to improve," said an official from CFA.

(China Daily December 24, 2004)