Sevilla great Navas to leave club in summer
Football![Sevilla great Navas to leave club in summer](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/e945735089ffa65d.webp?v=1)
PAY ATTENTION: Checkout Fixtures; Live Scores; Results and Tables section on Sports Brief and never miss out on the action ⚽️
Jorn Andersen, the Norwegian who took Hong Kong to their first Asian Cup finals in 56 years, quit as coach on Wednesday to take up an offer elsewhere.
The 61-year-old, whose colourful CV includes a stint as boss of North Korea, confirmed rumours of his departure at an emotional press conference in the southern Chinese territory.
"I have recently received an invitation from a club outside (Hong Kong) that presents an opportunity I simply cannot refuse," said Andersen, who had about a year left on his contract.
"It is with great regret that I now bid farewell to the Hong Kong football scene."
Local media speculated that Andersen could be off to a club in China.
The popular Andersen is credited with revitalising the Hong Kong team since taking charge in December 2021.
Sevilla great Navas to leave club in summer
FootballHey there: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
At the start of the year they played at the Asian Cup for the first time since 1968.
They were the lowest-ranked team at the tournament in Qatar and lost all three games, but were competitive in defeats to the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Palestine.
"The past two-and-a-half years have been a fantastic journey," Andersen told reporters on Wednesday.
Assistant Wolfgang Luisser will take over for World Cup qualifiers against Iran on June 6 and Turkmenistan on June 11.
Hong Kong are bottom of the group and cannot reach the 2026 World Cup.