Liu Yang, also known as Liu Shengqiang, is one of the most prominent figures in Chinese football history. He was born on August 15, 1967, and passed away on September 24, 2021.
Born in Anhui Province, Liu was initially from Jiangsu province. After graduating from university, he joined the PLA military and served for three years before returning to Jiangsu Province. In 1988, he began his career with Jiangsu University Football Club and later became its coach.
In 1996, Liu led his team to their first ever victory in the Chinese Cup. His leadership style was highly regarded by fans and players alike. In 2000, he was named the top coach of Jiangsu University Football Club.
However, Liu's reign as coach was short-lived. In 2002, he resigned due to poor results at the club. The following year, he was appointed head coach of Tianjin Truex Sports Co., Ltd., where he spent four seasons before resigning again in 2006.
After leaving Tianjin, Liu started his own coaching career, working for several clubs including Jiangsu University Football Club, Jiangsu Provincial Youth Team, and Jiangsu Province Youth Team. During this time, he also helped develop young talents like Zhao Jilin, who went on to become one of China's leading goalkeepers.
In 2010, Liu returned to Jiangsu Province and took over as coach of Jiangsu University Football Club. He guided the team to win the provincial championship in 2011, which earned him the title of "the best coach" in Jiangsu Province.
In 2012, Liu was named the head coach of Jiangsu University Football Club after retiring from professional football. He remained with the club until his retirement in 2021, during which time he oversaw the club's transition into a modern-day football club.
Despite his success, Liu faced criticism for his handling of player welfare. Some players accused him of not taking enough care of them or treating them well, which ultimately contributed to the club's decline. However, it is worth noting that Liu was able to build a strong team culture within the club and was respected by both players and fans alike.
Liu Yang's legacy continues to be remembered by the Chinese football community, and his contributions to the sport are still celebrated today.