Su Maozhen and Han Peng Resign, Taishan Enters Third "Transition Period" in Four Years

Reported by Chen Yong Journalist Chen Yong writes: Shandong Taishan finds itself in yet another "transition period." On July 28, the club confirmed that both head coach Su Maozhen and first-team coaching group leader Han Peng had stepped down, with Tang Tian taking over as interim head coach. The coaching shake-up occurred even though the team's performance was not poor (actual points: 30), but persistent problems—including a defense that has conceded in 15 straight games and a home attendance drop to the season's lowest point—demand attention.

On one hand, Taishan's squad depth has been steadily thinning, with no reinforcements in two consecutive transfer windows, drawing heavy criticism for the club's recruitment strategy. On the other hand, although Han Peng lacked a professional-level coaching license and had Su Maozhen as a nominal head coach, and the coaching staff's winter preparation was severely flawed, his courage in giving opportunities to six young players—such as Peng Xiao and Yimulan—and his sense of responsibility during difficult times are still commendable.

For Taishan, changing the coach is only a superficial move. The real direction depends on two key questions: In the short term, will Tang Tian finish the season, or will the club immediately start a search for a new head coach? In the long run, can the shareholding reform break the deadlock, and can the strategy shift from "passive response" to "proactive planning"? Only by answering these questions can Taishan avoid consuming its foundation and morale through repeated "transitions."

Thus, in four years, Taishan has entered a "transition period" for the third time: In mid-April 2023, before the second round of the Chinese Super League, the then-head coach was investigated, leading to a transition period where assistant coach Fabio took charge for six matches, recording 1 win, 4 draws, and 1 loss, before Choi Kang-hee was appointed. In July 2025, Choi returned to South Korea for medical treatment, and Han Peng served as interim head coach for the next 14 matches, achieving an impressive 8 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses, with an unbeaten run in the final 11 matches. Thanks to this solid performance during the transition, Han Peng continued to lead Shandong Taishan as coaching group leader in the 2026 season.

Because Han Peng had not yet obtained a professional-level coaching certificate, club vice general manager Su Maozhen became the nominal head coach, while actual coaching remained with Han Peng, and Su handled pre- and post-match press conferences. Now, with Su and Han both resigning and Tang Tian taking over as interim head coach, Taishan has entered its third "transition period" in four years.

Taishan's future path is unclear: For the team, theoretically they need to find a proper head coach quickly, especially since they have not only league matches but also the FA Cup. However, with only 10 league games left, it's also possible that Tang Tian will finish the season. For the club, more important than the coaching staff are the shareholding reform and strategy. Only with stable reform and a clear strategy can Taishan achieve genuine development.

In the 2026 season, Taishan's overall performance has been inconsistent. Currently, Shandong Taishan's overall record is 9 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses. After deducting points, they sit 6th in the CSL with 24 points, but their actual record of 30 points would place them 2nd (Shanghai Shenhua has 29 points with one game in hand, Beijing Guoan has 28 points). From a ranking perspective, the team's performance is not poor, especially considering the heavy use of young players this season, which also affects results.

However, the team's actual performance has drawn widespread fan dissatisfaction: In the first half of the season, Taishan conceded four goals in three matches, showing extreme volatility. In the second half, they faced a bench shortage, notably in last Sunday's 2-1 loss to Henan, where the squad list had only 20 players, with mostly young players on the bench. As for the quality of play, fans have many criticisms, including conceding 10 goals in the last four matches and extending their streak of conceding in consecutive matches to 15.

Fan discontent centers on two main issues: First, the club's squad construction is problematic. As the roster has thinned, Taishan failed to strengthen in two consecutive transfer windows, sparking dissatisfaction with the club's strategy and recruitment ability. Second, the team's on-field performance—heavy losses, poor defense, and inconsistent morale. Fan dissatisfaction is clearly reflected in attendance: In the 14th round, Taishan's home match against Wuhan Three Towns drew only 13,651 spectators, the third-worst attendance in the 156 CSL matches this season.

Although many fans expressed dissatisfaction with Han Peng's coaching during his tenure, after his departure, fans still sent their thanks and best wishes.

Objectively speaking, Han Peng's previous coaching experience was limited to the youth team, and this was his first time coaching in the CSL. In smooth times it was naturally easier, but in adversity, his lack of experience became apparent. To make matters worse, the configuration of Han Peng's coaching staff also had issues. Due to problems with foreign assistant coaches during winter training, the entire pre-season preparation was wasted, which is one reason for the team's struggles this season. During the two international breaks, Taishan had little room for adjustment because, at one point, only 10 players were available for training.

For Han Peng, this past period has been quite painful, but it is also a valuable experience for the future. After stepping down, he will pursue a professional-level coaching certificate. Fans also wish Han Peng a good rest first, then hard study, and then a fresh start.

The gratitude and best wishes stem from two aspects: First, Han Peng has deep feelings for Taishan and took responsibility during the toughest times. Second, he boldly used young players this season. Currently, four young players have entered the starting lineup or become regular rotation players: Peng Xiao, Yimulan, Chen Zeshi, and Mai Wulang. Additionally, goalkeeper Yu Jinyong has performed well in recent consecutive appearances. Shi Songchen has made 8 appearances this season, recently playing consecutively and providing an assist in the match against Henan. Other young players—Peng Yixiang, Lu Junwei, Yin Jiaxi, Yang Ruiqi, and Liu Qiwei—have also occasionally gotten opportunities.