As Hong Kong seeks new football coach, Roberto Losada says he is ‘super-ready’
Eastern boss reveals he is keen to replace Ashley Westwood as he urges his team to overcome fear in Thursday’s AFC Champions League Two tie
Roberto Losada has said he would be “super-ready” to become the new Hong Kong head coach if asked, after Ashley Westwood vacated the position on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of his Eastern team’s AFC Champions League Two clash with Gamba Osaka on Thursday, Losada originally said it was “not the moment” to talk about the city team post.
A Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) official then moved to shut down the topic, but Losada said: “The only thing I can say is I’m super-ready.”
He would not comment on whether he had been contacted by the HKFA, which plans to appoint an interim head coach “as soon as possible”, while “initiating an open recruitment process” for a permanent hire.
Losada, winner of the city’s past three manager-of-the-year awards, assisted caretaker Hong Kong boss Wolfgang Luisser following Jorn Andersen’s resignation last year. He then signed a fresh three-year deal with Eastern, ruling himself out of contention to replace Andersen.
Announcing Westwood’s departure, the HKFA said it would focus on “nurturing more young and promising players”. The Post has been told some senior association figures would prefer a local coach.