Guangxi Hengchen Head Coach Liu Junwei: Calm Mindset After Promotion Success, Recruitment Work Already Underway

Reported by journalist Wang Wei and intern Li Xin In the 2025 China League Two, Guangxi Hengchen achieved promotion five rounds before the end and won their first-ever professional league championship three rounds early, creating a historic moment for Guangxi professional football. On October 24, head coach Liu Junwei granted an exclusive interview to our newspaper. When discussing the promotion success, Liu Junwei expressed a calm mood. Looking ahead, he stated: “We will definitely keep the current main squad framework and make targeted reinforcements in various positions.”

◆ Football Magazine: Guangxi Hengchen secured promotion five rounds early and won their first professional league title three rounds ahead of schedule. Was this outcome within your expectations? How did you feel when promotion was confirmed?

Liu Junwei: At the start of this season, our internal goal was promotion. As the league progressed, our points lead grew, and after winning several key matches, the path to promotion became clearer. So after achieving promotion, I actually felt quite calm.

◆What special significance does winning the China League Two title and achieving promotion this time hold for you?

Maybe just adding “China League Two Champion” to my resume, nothing more. As a coach, I focus on my work and leading the team well.

◆Which match or moment this season left the deepest impression on you?

Our coaches and players often discuss this casually. The players think the away match against Quanzhou Yaxin during the preliminary stage was crucial. Before that, we had one draw and one loss in our first two home games, so the team was under some pressure. Winning 2-0 away at Quanzhou Yaxin relieved that pressure, and the players performed freely on the pitch, helping us enter the promotion group. Also, in the first match of the southern promotion group, we played away against Nantong Haimen Ketiyuan and scored a last-second winning goal, which was beautiful and very exciting.

◆At the start of the season, you faced difficulties due to squad shortages caused by Western Cup penalties. How did you lead the team to adjust and overcome that low point?

This was a profound lesson for the team. We held a team meeting where everyone spoke. The players said they would fight hard to win another match in the FA Cup because the suspension included FA Cup matches. If we won one more round, suspended players could miss fewer league games. During the hardest time, no one blamed each other; instead, they fought for their suspended teammates to get another league chance. That moved me deeply. We turned adversity into strength, which made the team more united.

◆Football Magazine: Fernando is your top scorer with 24 goals this season, breaking the single-season scoring record in China League Two. How do you evaluate his performance?

Liu Junwei: He is a very talented striker with excellent finishing skills. This season, his goals came from set pieces, penalties, direct free kicks, corners, and he scored with both feet and his head.

◆This season, nearly 20 players contributed goals or assists. How do you build the team around an “overall tactical system” while encouraging individual creativity?

We first emphasize the overall tactical style, then highlight individual creativity. We explain clearly in theory sessions what players should do in matches, and then repeatedly reinforce our tactical approach through training.

◆You have often mentioned in previous interviews the importance of investors’ trust, club support, and coaching staff harmony. How does this multi-party “synergy” specifically manifest?

From the owner to management to our team, I feel everyone shares the same ideas and philosophy, and we cooperate very smoothly in all aspects. We are a very pure club.

◆Investors have heavily funded the training base and professional stadium, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Sports Bureau has provided substantial assistance. How has this external support impacted your team?

The training base is indeed crucial; it provides solid support for our training, allowing players and coaches to focus more on practice and games. We now have six fields: four natural grass and two artificial turf, which is rare at the China League Two or League One level.

◆Starting from the Guangxi Super League and reaching China League One in just four years, what does your team’s growth mean for Guangxi football?

For Guangxi Hengchen, healthy development is key, requiring rational investment and long-term planning. The team is currently based in Nanning, Guangxi’s capital, where attention has significantly increased. If we can attract more fans to watch games and gradually cultivate their interest in football, encouraging participation, it will undoubtedly benefit Guangxi football’s development greatly.

◆Football Magazine: Since moving your home games to the Guangxi Sports Center on August 30, attendance has surged, with 16,117 fans attending the first match. How did you feel when you stepped into the stadium?

Liu Junwei: We were worried about attendance when moving home, but seeing so many fans supporting us was very exciting. A large crowd and good atmosphere greatly motivate the players. I hope through our efforts, even more fans will come to cheer us on.

◆What would you like to say to the fans who have supported you all along?

I thank the fans for their company through thick and thin. Especially during several crucial away matches, our traveling supporters came, which greatly encouraged and supported us. I hope our performance this year brings fans joy and pride. Also, I hope fans will continue to support us next year. Since our team is newly formed, the first year in China League One may bring various challenges. The club, coaches, and players all need time to adapt, so I hope fans keep their expectations reasonable.

◆The competition intensity in China League One differs greatly from League Two. Do you have preliminary plans for player recruitment, tactical refinement, and youth development during the off-season?

We have already started discussions with players about signing and renewing contracts. Some will stay, some will leave; this is normal in professional football. Judging by this year, all players worked very hard and showed good ability.

Many agents have begun recommending players to us, but whether domestic or foreign, they must first fit our playing style and budget. We will definitely keep the current main squad framework and make targeted reinforcements in various positions. Additionally, we will focus on attracting young players with potential to develop. The coaching staff already has some ideas but is not rushing. We will observe and then meet to decide which players fit best before finalizing the roster.