Aloisi, well remembered in Spain, suffers a terrible experience in China

John Aloisi He left a good memory in Spanish football after playing in Osasuna (2001-2005) and Alavés (2005-2007). In both teams the former Australian striker demonstrated his scoring instincts. With the rojillos he even played in a Copa del Rey final in 2005. He scored a goal that forced an extra time in which the team ended up winning. Betis for 2-1.

Once retired, Aloisio began his coaching career with Australian teams: Melbourne Heart, Brisbane Roar and Western Unitedwith which he won the A-League in 2022. In January 2026 he decided to go abroad and signed the Chengdu Rongcheng. The adventure was on a very good path but it ended in the worst possible way after an unprecedented series of results.

Aloisi has been dismissed after the disaster occurred on the last day of the Chinese Super League on Sunday. Chengdu was the leader for much of the championship and had a 14-point advantage with five games remaining. They were close to the title but since then they have only added one draw and lost their last four games.

On the decisive day Chengdu fell to Shandong Taishan (3-2), while the Dalian Yingbo achieved its fifth victory against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger (3-1) and, with equal points, he was crowned champion for the first time thanks to his best individual average. Dalian won both of their games against Chengdu, including 0-1 on the penultimate matchday.

A few hours later the club’s laconic announcement came. “Mr. John Aloisi will cease to serve as head coach of Chengdu Rongcheng Football Club and his coaching staff will also leave the club,” reported late Monday.

President and CEO resign

Aloisio is not the only one to leave his position. Chengdu also announced the resignation of Chairman Wang Lei and CEO Wu Bo. Until 2018, the club played in the fourth Chinese division and rose through the ranks until reaching the top category in 2022.

In his first four seasons, he finished fifth, fourth and, twice, third. This year he touched glory before Aloisi and his players suffered a bitter experience.