Guangzhou Evergrande boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed his departure from the club, stating Sunday: “My story with Evergrande is finished.”
Scolari's tenure with Evergrande has been productive, with the team winning the AFC Champions League in 2015 and securing three league titles under his tutelage.
This year, the former Brazil coach lead Evergrande to the title with two matches to spare, despite lacing-up against a Shanghai SIPG roster that has seen considerable investment, bringing in Oscar, Hulk and Elkeson, as well as coach Andre Villas-Boas. The team was also rebounding from the loss of Brazilian football star Paulinho to Barca back in August.
"This year, the CSL title was not easy to win," Scolari said, according to ESPN Football. "We made it seven times in a row and it means so much to the club and to the club's owner. I think this year was the most difficult one since 2011. However, my players made it by overcoming so many obstacles."
While Scolari may not be on the Evergrande bench next season, the 68-year-old coach has not ruled out a return to the Middle Kingdom, stating: “My story with China may continue. I will carefully think about it. No one knows where we are heading, but I hope Evergrande can have a bright future.”
"I don't know if I will come back to China. My football life has taken me all over the world, but China is one [of] the three best places that I've ever worked," he added.
Italians Carlo Ancelotti and Fabio Cannavaro have both been mentioned in Chinese media as a possible Scolari replacement.
READ MORE: Guangzhou Evergrande Secure 7th Consecutive CSL Title
[Cover image via AFP/Getty h/t Daily Mail, SCMP]
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