Qingdao Huanghai terminates contract with Machin

QINGDAO, China -- Spanish coach Pablo Machin won't come to China to take charge of the team due to personal reasons, according to the Chinese Super League (CSL) side Qingdao Huanghai FC.

"One of Machin's relatives was infected with COVID-19 and he was one of the close contacts. Therefore, he can't come to China and asked to terminate the contract," a spokesman for Qingdao Huanghai told Xinhua.

"To ensure the safety of the club and the CSL, we agreed," the spokesman said, "Although both sides had a strong willingness to cooperate, we had to make the decision during the pandemic."

Qingdao Huang, newly promoted to the CSL, announced that Machin would be their head coach on July 22, and now have to seek a replacement.

"We are looking for a new head coach in domestic coaches, as it will take over a month to apply for a visa and finish a 14-day quarantine if we bring in an overseas coach," the spokesman said.

It was reported that La Liga side Deportivo Alaves is expected to sign Machin as their new head coach.

The 45-year-old Machin started his coaching career in 2011. Under his management, Girona FC were promoted to La Liga in the 2016-2017 season.

In October 2019, Machin took charge of La Liga side Espanyol, where he won four out of 15 matches before being fired two months later.