The future of Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen was shrouded in mystery on Monday after reports the Norwegian had quit less than two weeks before his side’s World Cup qualifier against Iran.
Andersen declined to comment when contacted by the Post, only saying he would discuss the matter with the media on Wednesday.
But neither the 61-year-old, nor his employers at the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, would reveal why a press conference had been called.
Eric Fok Kai-shan, the association’s chairman, refused to comment, and other FA officials said they were in the dark over the head coach’s position.
Andersen had been talking to FA chiefs over an extension to a contract that expires in June next year, but is known to be unhappy with some of the recent decision making.
Appointed in December 2021, Andersen led Hong Kong to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals, the first time since 1968 the city’s team had reached a major tournament.
He oversaw a 2-1 victory over China on New Year’s Day, and helped foster a significant bond between Hong Kong supporters and their team. He also guided the under-23 team on its historic run to the semi-finals of last year’s Asian Games.
Andersen has publicly criticised the governing body, specifically rounding on the organisation for failing to send representatives to the Asian competition in Qatar, until Fok attended the closing group match with Palestine.
Some observers felt Fok timed his visit to coincide with potential celebrations around Hong Kong’s progress to the last -16. Andersen’s team lost 3-0 and dropped out of the competition.
The head coach has also questioned the structure of Hong Kong football, and championed a host of changes to the local league in an interview with the Post this year.
Having overseen a substantial improvement in performances and results, transforming Hong Kong from a timid, defensive team into an aggressive, proactive outfit, his departure would come as a blow.
Last week, the association announced the resignation of CEO Joaquin Tam. Sources told the Post Tam had been fired.
Hong Kong are set to train behind closed doors on Tuesday, beginning a training camp that runs until Friday.
They reassemble after the weekend to begin preparations for a home World Cup qualifier with Iran on June 6. The team complete their qualifying group in Turkmenistan on June 11.
Andersen left a host of prominent figures out of his squad for the forthcoming fixtures, with speculation swirling around reasons for some of the key absences.
Hong Kong’s World Cup fate was sealed by a pair of defeats against Uzbekistan in March. They remain in contention to qualify for the next Asian Cup finals, in Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
