The Guangzhou Shunde FC is one of the most successful clubs in Chinese football, but its fate in the Chinese Super League (CSL) has been a topic of discussion for several years.
In recent years, the club has struggled to maintain its status and have even been relegated twice from the league. The reasons behind this decline are multifaceted, including financial issues, lack of talent, and poor management.
One of the main factors contributing to the club's struggles was the high cost of living in Guangzhou. The city is known for being expensive, with high housing prices, high transportation costs, and high real estate taxes. This led to a decrease in the club's income, which made it difficult for them to pay their bills and support their players.
Another factor that contributed to the club's downfall was the lack of quality talent on the team. Guangzhou FC had some of the best players in China, such as Guan Xilin and Li Na, but they were not able to perform well enough to keep up with the other teams in the league.
Furthermore, the club's management style was also criticized by fans and analysts. They believed that the club should have invested more money into the team, rather than relying solely on the management team's ability to coach the players.
Despite these challenges, Guangzhou FC still managed to maintain some level of success in the league. In 2019, they finished second place, earning promotion to the Premier League (PL). However, the club's performance in the league did not match their expectations, and they returned to the CSL relegation zone again in 2021.
The club's struggles in the CSL have left many questions unanswered, and there is no clear answer yet. Some argue that the club's financial situation may be the root cause of its problems, while others believe that the lack of talent and management skills are the biggest obstacles to their success.
Regardless of the reasons behind the club's struggles, it is clear that Guangzhou FC needs to take action to improve its performance in the CSL. It will need to invest more in the team, hire better coaches, and develop its young talent. Only then can it hope to return to the top tier of Chinese football.