McGuinness to coach in Beijing

Jim McGuinness has left Celtic to take up a position as assistant manager at Chinese Super League club Beijing Sinobo Guoan.

Donegal's 2012 All-Ireland-winning manager has signed a two-and-a-half year deal to become the new No 2 to former Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt at Beijing Guoan.

Beijing Guoan, champions of China in 2009, currently lie seventh in the 16-team Chinese Super League following an underwhelming start to the season which culminated in the sacking of Portuguese head coach Jose Gonzalez on 3 June, following a fifth defeat in 12 matches.

McGuinness and Schmidt built up a good relationship after the Irishman went to Leverkusen to study the club's coaching and physiotherapy methods in 2015, and continued to keep in touch by email and text.

"I got a text from Roger at the beginning of the summer to say he was going to be in Dublin to meet a sports firm," McGuinness told the Irish Times.

"We met in the airport in Dublin and spent a few hours ahead of his flight to Germany and he walked me through his game plan and style of play. We just had a really good conversation. I feel that we think similarly and share core principles.

"And at the end he asked me to show him Gaelic football because he was curious about it. So we watched the highlights of the 2012 final [in which McGuinness' Donegal beat Mayo 2-11 to 0-13]. 

"The chat was very positive and strong and gravitated towards maybe some time we can work together. And then last week, I got a phone call asking if I would be interested."

McGuinness, who joined Celtic as a psychology coach in 2012, coached the Bhoys' U20 team last season and says he expects to return to Celtic Park when his China adventure ends.

"In terms of Celtic, every decision that was made was with their knowledge," he continued.

"[Celtic majority shareholder] Dermot Desmond, in particular, was implicit in any decision made. 

"And I'd like to think that the umbilical cord won’t be cut. Everyone in the club has been hugely supportive and hopefully I will return there someday as a better coach."

Image: Inpho/ Cathal Noonan

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