While hopes are slim for China's men's soccer team to reach the next World Cup, the country is already investing in the sport's future — starting with its coaches. Eight youth coaches from the Chinese Football Association have just returned from a three-week training stint in England, hosted by the Premier League.

The visit was part of the International Elite Coach Program, a flagship initiative under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Premier League and the CFA last October.

It is designed to support China's long-term soccer ambitions by equipping local coaches with global expertise.

Five of the eight coaches selected for the visit are former Chinese national team players.

Over three weeks, they were hosted at two Premier League Category One Academies — Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers — where they engaged in hands-on training, match preparation and performance analysis alongside experienced club staff.

The Chinese coaches participated in tactical briefings, reviewed under-18 and under-21 matches and attended competitive fixtures, including three Premier League games. They also joined a Premier League-run Coaching Craft workshop to further hone their technical skills.

Sean Reed, the Premier League's Head of Coaching, emphasized that the program mirrors the league's own youth coach development structure, but was customized to meet the needs of the Chinese coaches.

"During this trip, the coaches had the opportunity to work with players they had never coached before — many of whom did not speak the same language," said Reed.

"This experience challenged them to adapt their approaches to coaching, and strengthened their ability to communicate effectively in unfamiliar environments.

"One particular task required the coaches to deliver a session without using verbal communication. This encouraged them to find alternative ways to engage and instruct players, reinforcing the idea that football truly is a universal language," he added.

Reed praised the coaches' engagement and growth: "All the coaches have grown in confidence throughout the program. They demonstrated full commitment to every element of this unique experience, building on their football knowledge and bringing energy, curiosity and professionalism to each learning opportunity."

Reed said that the visit was just a beginning. To further support the ongoing development of the coaches and maintain engagement, they schedule regular online check-ins, as well as the opportunity to join relevant online sessions and conferences delivered by the Premier League.

"We also provide tailored digital content designed to support their ongoing development," he said.

Among the delegation was Yu Hai, a former left-back who earned 71 caps for China.

Now transitioning into coaching, currently managing former club Shanghai Port's Under-19s team, Yu was struck by the intensity of the English training environment.

"What impressed me most was that every session was run at full match pace," he said. "Now that I'm a coach, I've shifted my attention to tactics and the structure of youth development systems."

Li Feiyu, an official of CFA's technical department, described the visit as "exceptionally rewarding".

"The Premier League clubs demonstrated outstanding philosophies in youth development, and impressive professionalism in their academy operations," said Li. "The experience has provided us with valuable reference points for enhancing our own systems. I believe this collaboration between the CFA and the Premier League holds long-term, constructive significance, and will greatly benefit youth development in Chinese football."

Neil Saunders, Director of Football at the Premier League, emphasized the importance of continued cooperation: "This program is part of our long-standing commitment to supporting football development in China."

"By working with our clubs to deliver a diverse and enriching itinerary, we've enabled the CFA coaching delegation to gain unique insights into elite academy environments. Our support for Chinese football development will continue, even after the delegation has returned to China," he said.

This is the second group of Chinese coaches to take part in the initiative, following the first cohort's visit in September 2024. The program also aligns with the Premier League's expanding presence in Asia, including the opening of its Beijing office in 2024 — its third international hub after Singapore and the United States.

The Premier League has been involved in grassroots soccer in China for over 15 years. Since 2009, it has partnered with the British Council to deliver the Premier Skills coaching program in 28 cities across the country, training more than 6,300 grassroots coaches, referees, and physical education teachers.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn