Changing of CFA guard does little to inspire fans

Nan Yong will officially take over the job of former Chinese Football Association (CFA) chief Xie Yalong next week on a permanent basis, Beijing Times reported yesterday.

Former vice-president Xie was appointed by the State General Administration of Sport (SGAS) in early 2005 in hope of reviving the national team's flagging fortunes but was replaced by caretaker boss Nan after the men's team failed to win a single match during the Aug 8-24 Beijing Olympics.

The reshuffle also sees Zhang Jilong, a former high-ranking BOCOG official, return to assist Nan as second-in-command.