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Guangzhou FC
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao logo.svg
Full name Guangzhou Football Club
Nickname(s) South China Tigers (华南虎)
Founded June 1954; 71 years ago (1954-06)
Dissolved 6 January 2025; 6 months ago (2025-01-06)
Ground Huadu Stadium
Ground Capacity 13,394
Guangzhou F.C.
Traditional Chinese 廣州足球俱樂部
Simplified Chinese 广州足球俱乐部
Jyutping Gwong2 zau1 zuk1 kau4 keoi1 lok6 bou6
Cantonese Yale Gwóngjāu zūk kaù lokh bouh
Hanyu Pinyin Guǎngzhōu Zúqiú Jùlèbù
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Guǎngzhōu Zúqiú Jùlèbù
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization Gwóngjāu zūk kaù lokh bouh
Jyutping Gwong2 zau1 zuk1 kau4 keoi1 lok6 bou6

Guangzhou Football Club (simplified Chinese: 广州足球俱乐部; traditional Chinese: 廣州足球俱樂部; pinyin: Guǎngzhōu Zúqiú Jùlèbù), also known as Guangzhou Evergrande for many years, was a professional football team from Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The club played its home games at different stadiums in Guangzhou, including Tianhe Stadium and Yuexiushan Stadium. Most recently, they played at Huadu Stadium.

The club was started in 1954. It won several titles in China's second-tier league before becoming a professional team in 1993. They improved quickly, even finishing second in China's top league. After a period of ups and downs, the club won the second division again in 2007.

In 2009, the club faced problems related to unfair play and was moved down to a lower league. In 2010, a company called Evergrande Real Estate Group bought the club. They invested a lot of money, and the team quickly won promotion back to the top league. They then won their first top-tier title in 2011.

Guangzhou FC became the most successful Chinese football club in Asian competitions. They won the AFC Champions League twice, in 2013 and 2015. This allowed them to play in the FIFA Club World Cup in those years. Between 2011 and 2017, Guangzhou won the Chinese Super League title seven times in a row. They won another Super League title in 2019.

However, due to financial difficulties, the club was moved down from the top league after the 2022 season. The club was officially dissolved in January 2025 because it could not pay its large debts. In 2016, Forbes magazine reported that the team was worth about US$282 million, making it the most valuable Chinese football team at the time.

Club History

Early Years

In June 1954, the city of Guangzhou started the Guangzhou Football Team. They joined the new Chinese national football league in 1955. Their first manager was Luo Dizhi. The team finished eighth in their first season, which meant they moved down to the second division.

Guangzhou won the second division championship in 1956. However, the league changed its rules, and they were not allowed to move up. They won the second division again in 1958 but still could not get promoted. The team was restarted in April 1961 and played in the top league. They often struggled and were moved down again in 1963. Football in China then stopped for a while during the Cultural Revolution.

Promotions and Sponsorship

When Chinese football restarted, Guangzhou focused on its youth team. In 1977, Luo Rongman became the manager of their youth players. These young players, like Mai Chao and Zhao Dayu, grew up to become famous Chinese international footballers.

The team started in the third division in 1980 and quickly moved up through the leagues. They reached the top division again in 1984. Guangzhou also became the first Chinese team to get a sponsor. The Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Factory signed a deal to support the club.

Becoming Professional and Challenges

Guangzhou F.C.1993-1995
Guangzhou Apollo logo (1993-1995)

In the 1990s, Chinese football teams were asked to become more professional. Guangzhou was one of the first to do so when the Apollo Group took over in 1993. This investment helped the team become very competitive. They finished second in the league in 1994.

After their manager, Zhou Sui'an, left, the team struggled. When important players also left, the team was moved down from the top league in 1998. An investigation found that some players were involved with gambling groups and were removed from the club.

In 2001, the Guangzhou Sports Bureau took over the club again. New sponsors, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, invested money. However, a match-fixing problem in the league caused Geely to stop their funding. The club went through a difficult time until the Sunray Cave Group took over in 2004. In 2006, the Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals group took charge, and the club finally won the second division title in 2007, moving up to the Chinese Super League.

In February 2010, Guangzhou was moved down to a lower league again. This was because of a past match from 2006 where the club's general manager had paid money to win a game. The people involved were sent to jail.

On February 28, 2010, the Evergrande Real Estate Group bought the club. The chairman, Xu Jiayin, promised to invest a lot of money. They signed famous players like Gao Lin, Sun Xiang, Zheng Zhi, and Brazilian player Muriqui. On October 30, 2010, Guangzhou won the League One championship and returned to the Super League.

Years of Success

Guangzhou F.C.2010
Guangzhou logo (2010)

In 2011, Guangzhou Evergrande bought more strong players, including Argentinean Dario Conca and Brazilian Cléo. Even though they had just been promoted, they won the Super League title in September 2011 with games still left to play.

In March 2012, Guangzhou played and won their first-ever AFC Champions League match. They beat South Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5-1. They also signed Paraguayan player Lucas Barrios and brought in famous Italian coach Marcello Lippi. Guangzhou reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 AFC Champions League. In 2012, they won the Super League for the second time in a row and also won the Chinese FA Cup.

In 2013, Guangzhou Evergrande signed Chinese goalkeeper Zeng Cheng and Brazilian player Elkeson. This helped them win the Super League for the third time in a row. The club also won the 2013 AFC Champions League by beating FC Seoul. This was the first time a Chinese team had won the tournament since 1990.

Winning the AFC Champions League meant Guangzhou played in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup. They beat the African champions Al-Ahly 2-0. In the semi-finals, they lost to European champions Bayern Munich. They finished fourth in the tournament.

Guangzhou continued their success, winning the Chinese Super League titles in 2014 and 2015. On November 21, 2015, they won their second AFC Champions League title. They also played in the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup, beating Club América before losing to Barcelona. They finished fourth again. By 2020, Guangzhou Evergrande had won eight Super League championships in total, including seven in a row from 2011 to 2017.

Financial Problems and End of the Club

Before the 2021 season, the team's name was changed to Guangzhou FC. This was because the Chinese Football Association wanted clubs to have "neutral" names, without company names in them. In the same year, the Evergrande Group, which owned the club, faced big financial problems. This led to the club's financial collapse.

After losing several key players, the team was moved down from the Super League in 2022. This ended their twelve-season stay in the top league. In January 2025, Guangzhou FC was removed from China's professional football leagues because it could not pay its large debts. As a result, the club announced that it was dissolving.

Stadiums

Guangzhou FC played its home games at different stadiums over the years. Before the 2023 season, they moved to Yuexiushan Stadium. This stadium was previously used by another Guangzhou team. Before that, they played at Tianhe Stadium, which could hold 54,856 fans.

In April 2020, work began on a new stadium called Guangzhou Evergrande Football Stadium, planned to hold 100,000 people. It was meant to be ready by December 2022. However, due to the financial problems of the Evergrande Group, the project was stopped in mid-2022. On February 29, 2024, Guangzhou announced a move to the Huadu Stadium.

Ownership and Naming History

Year Owner Club name Sponsored team name
1954–55 Central and Southern China Institute of Sports Central and Southern China Sports Institute Football Team Central and Southern China White
1955 Guangzhou
1956 Central and Southern China White
1956–57 Guangzhou Institute of Sports Guangzhou Institute of Sports Football Team
1958 Guangzhou Football Team
1959–61 Guangzhou Public Security Bureau Guangzhou Vanguard Football Team
1962–66 Guangzhou Sports Bureau Guangzhou Football Team
1977–79 Guangzhou Youth Football Team
1980–84 Guangzhou Football Team
1985–89 Guangzhou Baiyun
1989–93 Guangzhou Football Club
1993–2000 Guangdong Apollo Group Guangzhou Apollo Football Club
2001–02 Guangzhou Sports Bureau Guangzhou Football Club Guangzhou Geely
2002–03 Guangzhou Xiangxue
2004–05 Sunray Cave Group Guangzhou Sunray Cave
2006–07 Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Guangzhou GPC Football Club
2008 Guangzhou GPC Zhongyi
2009 Guangzhou GPC Baiyunshan
2010 Guangzhou Sports Bureau Guangzhou Football Club
2010 Evergrande Real Estate Group Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club Guangzhou GAC
2011–14
2014–15 Evergrande Real Estate Group (50%→60%)
Alibaba Group (50%→40%)
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club
2016–20 Evergrande Real Estate Group (56.71%)
Alibaba Group (37.81%)
Other shareholders in NEEQ (5.48%)
2021–25 Guangzhou Football Club

Kit Manufacturers

Period Kit manufacturer
1994 Umbro
1995 Reebok
1996 Diadora
1997 Reebok
1998–2005 Ucan
2006–2007 Godedke
2008–2023 Nike
2024 Kelme

Rivalries

Guangzhou FC had a local rivalry, often called the Canton derby, with other teams from the city.

When professional football started in China in 1994, another team called Guangzhou Matsunichi was formed. This team used to be Guangzhou FC's youth academy. They even shared the Yuexiushan Stadium. In their first match in 1995, Matsunichi won. The rivalry ended in 2000 when Guangzhou FC beat Matsunichi, which led to Matsunichi being moved down from the league and then dissolving.

Later, when Guangzhou R&F moved to Guangzhou, a new local derby began. The first Canton derby between Guangzhou Evergrande and Guangzhou R&F was on March 16, 2012. Guangzhou Evergrande lost that game 2-0.

Managerial History

Amateur Period (1954–1993)

 
Manager Period
China Luo Dizhi 1954–1956
China Zeng Peifu 1956
China Zheng Deyao 1956
China Luo Rongman 1956–1961
China Li Wenjun 1964
China Lin Xiaocai 1966–1976
China Luo Rongman 1977
China Feng Meilu 1977
 
Manager Period
China Luo Rongman 1978–1982
China Cai Tangyao 1983–1984
China Chen Yiming 1985
China Qi Wusheng 1986–1988
China Xie Zhiguang 1989
China Chen Yiming 1990
China Zhou Sui'an 1991–1993

Professional Period (1994–2024)

Manager Period Honours
China Zhou Sui'an 1994 – 7 June 1995
China Zhang Jingtian 8 June 1995 – 28 December 1995
China Xie Zhiguang January 1996 – 15 April 1996
China Xian Dixiong 16 April 1996 – December 1996
China Chen Yiming January 1997 – 13 August 1997
China Mai Chao 13 August 1997 – 12 June 1998
China Chen Xirong 12 June 1998 – 4 May 1999
China Zhao Dayu 5 May 1999 – December 1999
Brazil Gildo Rodrigues January 2000 – 19 April 2000
China Zhou Sui'an 19 April 2000 – 23 September 2000
Brazil Edson Tavares (caretaker) 13 November 2000 – 11 December 2000
China Liu Kang 11 December 2000 – 25 July 2001
China Zhou Sui'an 25 July 2001 – 2 September 2002
China Wu Qunli 2 September 2002 – 19 December 2002
China Zhou Sui'an 19 December 2002 – 18 February 2003
China Mai Chao 18 February 2003 – 31 October 2005
Croatia Drago Mamić (caretaker) 25 November 2005 – 25 February 2006
China Qi Wusheng 25 February 2006 – 31 December 2006
China Shen Xiangfu 4 January 2007 – 30 November 2009 2007 China League One
China Peng Weiguo (caretaker) 1 December 2009 – 25 March 2010
South Korea Lee Jang-soo 25 March 2010 – 16 May 2012 2010 China League One
2011 Chinese Super League
2012 Chinese FA Super Cup
Italy Marcello Lippi 17 May 2012 – 2 November 2014 2012 Chinese Super League
2012 Chinese FA Cup
2013 Chinese Super League
2013 AFC Champions League
2014 Chinese Super League
Italy Fabio Cannavaro 5 November 2014 – 4 June 2015
Brazil Luiz Felipe Scolari 4 June 2015 – 5 November 2017 2015 Chinese Super League
2015 AFC Champions League
2016 Chinese FA Super Cup
2016 Chinese Super League
2016 Chinese FA Cup
2017 Chinese FA Super Cup
2017 Chinese Super League
Italy Fabio Cannavaro 9 November 2017 – 28 September 2021 2018 Chinese FA Super Cup
2019 Chinese Super League
China Zheng Zhi (caretaker) 7 December 2021 – January 2022
China Liu Zhiyu 4 May 2022 – 14 August 2022
China Zheng Zhi 14 August 2022 – 30 March 2023
China Liu Zhiyu 30 March 2023 – 5 June 2023
Spain Salva Suay 6 June 2023 – 25 December 2024

Honours

Guangzhou FC won many titles during its history, both as a professional and semi-professional club.

Domestic Titles

League Championships

  • Chinese Jia-A League (top division until 2003)
    • Runners-up (2): 1992, 1994
  • Chinese Super League (top division since 2004)
    • Winners (8): 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
    • Runners-up (2): 2018, 2020
  • Chinese Second Division / Jia-B League (second division until 2003)
    • Winners (3): 1956, 1958, 1981
    • Runners-up (2): 1983, 1990
  • China League One (second division since 2004)
    • Winners (2): 2007, 2010

Cup Competitions

  • Chinese FA Cup
    • Winners (2): 2012, 2016
    • Runners-up (2): 1991, 2013
  • Chinese FA Super Cup
    • Winners (4): 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018
    • Runners-up (3): 2013, 2014, 2015

International Titles

International Players

Many players who played for Guangzhou FC also represented their home countries in international football. Players whose names are in bold played for their national teams while they were with Guangzhou.

  • Quinzinho (2003–2004)
  • Brad Maloney (1995)
  • Mikalay Ryndzyuk (2005)
  • Paulinho (2015–2017, 2018–2021)
  • Ricardo Goulart (2015–2021)
  • Robinho (2015)
  • Bertin Tomou (2001)
  • Charles Gbeke (2010)
  • A Lan (2015–2021)
  • Ai Kesen (2013–2016, 2019–2021)
  • Bai Lei (2008–2009)
  • Deng Hanwen (2018–2022)
  • Dong Xuesheng (2014–2015)
  • Feng Renliang (2013–2014)
  • Feng Xiaoting (2011–2020)
  • Gao Lin (2010–2019)
  • Gao Zhunyi (2019–2022)
  • Hao Junmin (2022–2023)
  • He Chao (2019–2022)
  • Hu Zhaojun (2009–2010)
  • Hu Zhijun (1990–1997)
  • Huang Bowen (2012–2022)
  • Huang Hongtao (1990–1996, 1999–2000)
  • Huang Qineng (1991–1998)
  • Jiang Guangtai (2019–2022)
  • Jiang Ning (2011–2012)
  • Kong Guoxian (1986–1993, 1998)
  • Li Jianhua (2009–2012)
  • Li Wei (2005–2006)
  • Li Xuepeng (2014–2023)
  • Li Yong (1988–1995)
  • Liao Lisheng (2013–2022)
  • Liu Dianzuo (2016–2022)
  • Liu Jian (2014–2017)
  • Liu Yiming (2019–2022)
  • Luo Guofu (2020–2021)
  • Mai Chao (1981–1995)
  • Mei Fang (2014–2022)
  • Peng Weiguo (1990–1997)
  • Peng Xinli (2012–2016)
  • Qin Sheng (2012–2014)
  • Rong Hao (2012–2020)
  • Rong Zhixing (1966–1969)
  • Su Yongshun (1950s)
  • Sun Xiang (2010–2014)
  • Wang Jingbin (2015–2020)
  • Wei Shihao (2019–2023)
  • Wu Pingfeng (2008–2012)
  • Wu Qunli (1983–1985, 1990–1993)
  • Xu Liang (2007–2009)
  • Yang Hao (2011)
  • Yang Jun (2011–2013)
  • Yang Liyu (2018–2023)
  • Ye Weichao (2011–2014)
  • Yu Hanchao (2014–2020)
  • Zeng Cheng (2013–2020)
  • Zhang Chenglin (2017–2023)
  • Zhang Jiaqi (2015–2020)
  • Zhang Linpeng (2011–2022)
  • Zhang Wenzhao (2016–2020)
  • Zhang Xiuwei (2019–2023)
  • Zhao Dayu (1978–1986)
  • Zhao Peng (2013–2014)
  • Zhao Xuri (2012–2015)
  • Zheng Long (2013–2019)
  • Zheng Zhi (2010–2022)
  • Zou Zheng (2015–2018)
  • Jackson Martínez (2016–2019)
  • Patrick Katalay (2000–2001)
  • Luis Ramírez (2001, 2007–2009)
  • Ng Wai Chiu (2002–2003)
  • Wei Zhao (2003–2006)
  • Alessandro Diamanti (2014)
  • Alberto Gilardino (2014)
  • Cho Won-hee (2011–2012)
  • Kim Hyung-il (2017)
  • Kim Young-gwon (2012–2018)
  • Park Ji-ho (1998)
  • Park Ji-soo (2019–2022)
  • Dominic Iorfa (1997)
  • Lucas Barrios (2012–2013)
  • Casiano Delvalle (2007)
  • Ismael Alvarado (2008–2009)
  • Corneliu Papură (2006)
  • Claudiu Răducanu (2006)
  • Constantin Schumacher (2006)
  • Nemanja Gudelj (2018)
  • Arnold Dwarika (2004)
  • Gary Glasgow (2003–2004)
  • Alejandro Javier Larrea (2001)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Guangzhou Football Club para niños

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Guangzhou F.C. Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.