Ante Milicic Departs as Head Coach of China Women's National Football Team

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has officially announced that Ante Milicic has stepped down from his role as head coach of the Chinese national women's football team. The decision, confirmed on Friday, marks the end of his tenure leading the squad. Alongside Milicic, the entire foreign coaching staff will also be vacating their positions concurrently.

In an official statement, the CFA cited family circumstances as the primary driver behind the coach's departure following a period of negotiation. The governing body expressed its gratitude toward Milicic and his assistants for their dedication and professional contributions during their time with the national program, offering them well wishes for their future endeavors.

Milicic’s departure follows a challenging period for the team, which included a recent semifinal exit at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September. During that tournament, the squad faced significant hurdles, including injuries to key players and a difficult 2-0 loss to DPR Korea. Throughout his time at the helm, Milicic had been focused on integrating a new generation of players and preparing the team for major international competitions, including the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Since taking charge, the Australian-born coach had frequently spoken about the rapid evolution of the women's game and the necessity for Asian teams to adapt to remain competitive on the global stage. His tenure involved navigating various international friendlies and regional tournaments as he sought to refine the team's tactical approach and depth. The CFA has not yet announced a successor to lead the team as they look toward future international cycles.