Li Weifeng: Despite Seven Unbeaten Matches, Avoid Complacency

Journalist Lu Mi reports Changing a coach only addresses certain prominent conflicts within a specific period; it is not a panacea. Thus, in the ongoing wave of coaching changes in the China League One, the outcomes have been mixed. The Ningbo team has demonstrated the clearest "effectiveness." After Li Weifeng took charge, they achieved an impressive seven-match unbeaten run in the league, becoming the best example of a successful coaching change across both divisions this season.

The former Shanghai Jiading Huilong relocated to Ningbo this season. Having just settled in Cixi, Ningbo, the professional football club is in a rebuilding phase. The squad's integration, home ground operations, and fan base cultivation all need to be established from scratch. The team's performance was critical during this period, but contrary to expectations, they suffered four consecutive losses at the start of the league, with unstable performances on both ends of the pitch, landing at the bottom of the standings. The club promptly announced a coaching change on April 10, with Yang Lin leaving and Li Weifeng taking over as the new head coach.

Since Li Weifeng took over, he has led the team in seven league matches, achieving four wins and three draws without a single loss. More importantly, the rapid improvement in Ningbo's results under Li has shifted public opinion. The number of home spectators has steadily increased, and local fans' sense of identity has grown. This has facilitated the cultivation of the club's new home market, alleviating the brand recognition issues caused by the relocation. With the season not yet halfway through, Ningbo's position in the standings is relatively safe, and Li Weifeng has every opportunity to lead the team toward even better results.

On the evening of June 20, during the FA Cup match against Chongqing Tonglianglong, Ningbo fielded many U21 players to prioritize league performance and ensure injured players recovered early, resulting in a 0-2 defeat. This was Li Weifeng's first loss since taking over Ningbo. After the match, he was not dismayed by the defeat; instead, he hoped his young players would cherish the opportunity to face the second-placed team in the Chinese Super League: "Both sides had young players, but Tonglianglong's youngsters already possess good experience and technical-tactical awareness, built up through lower divisions. I hope my players can recognize their shortcomings and develop in the right direction." Assistant coach Niu Li stated that the coaching staff was satisfied with the performance of all young players in the FA Cup. However, compared to their opponents, Ningbo's young players lack confidence and opportunities to play: "Precisely because they lack these, we must let them play more. The future of Ningbo football depends not on veterans but on young players. So the coaching staff not only needs to improve the team's results but also make the squad's age structure more reasonable."

On Sunday evening, Ningbo will play an away match against Suzhou Dongwu. Since Suzhou has only achieved 2 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses in the first 11 rounds, currently sitting second from the bottom of the standings, this is an excellent opportunity for Ningbo to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches. However, Li Weifeng remains cautious, stating that although the seven-match unbeaten streak in the league has alleviated some relegation pressure, there is no room for complacency. The season is not yet halfway through, and other teams may become more formidable after strengthening during the summer transfer window, presenting more uncertainties. This will be a huge challenge for Ningbo, and no one can afford to be careless.