Beijing Guoan boss out to turn things around, starting with Hong Kong champions Tai Po
Ramiro Amarelle in temporary charge of struggling Chinese Super League club, who have won just once in seven matches
Ramiro Amarelle pledged to “change the dynamic” at Beijing Guoan, ahead of his side’s AFC Champions League 2 clash with Tai Po on Thursday.
Spaniard Amarelle continued his remarkable transition back from beach football when he was appointed caretaker boss of the Chinese Super League team after compatriot Quique Setien quit earlier this month.
Beijing, whose star striker Zhang Yuning missed training on the eve of the match, have been in Guangdong preparing for the Mong Kok Stadium encounter after they lost Amarelle’s first game in charge on Saturday, 2-1 away at Shenzhen Peng City.
They have won only once in seven matches and are propping up ACL2 Group E with one point from two games. Tai Po are second, ahead of Australians Macarthur and behind Cong An Hanoi, of Vietnam, following one win and one defeat.
“Our club always feels we need to win … when we can’t achieve those victories it’s never a good moment,” said Amarelle, who initially joined Beijing alongside Setien last December.
“Our job right now is to change this dynamic. The last match was not bad, but the only thing that counts is winning. The players are fit and ready, but they need to prove it and perform at the level this competition demands.”