Morling and Andersen have quickly formed a good relationship, even though the Englishman is constantly “freezing” in the office, because “Jorn always has the air-conditioning on”.
“He is really passionate about wanting to do well for Hong Kong, and wants the best development programme possible,” Morling said. “His enthusiasm is infectious … I hope he stays for a long time.”
Among seven goals laid out in the HKFA’s Vision 2025 is the desire for “an ever-improving Hong Kong senior men’s representative team”. Tactics for achieving that goal include all Hong Kong men’s teams “adopting a basic playing formation of 4-3-3, with agreed variations”.
Morling is on record saying the strengths of the players available should govern formations.
“I need to see how that is working – I would not say something worked for me elsewhere, so it is definitely going to help here,” Morling said. “If something is working, leave it alone. If it is not, we will fix it with something different.”
Morling recognises the imperative of communicating to his bosses “the stages we have to go through to grow”.
Morling’s contract is for only two years, but he hopes to be around “a long time”. He had 12 years with Peterborough United, where he coached three players, Sean St Leger, Luke Steele, and Ryan Semple, who all now work in managing, coaching or scouting.
At Brighton, Morling spent a decade, from 2012, overhauling an academy that today is a breeding ground for elite footballers.
“We are going to give it a good go, build on the work that’s been done, and see where we get,” Morling said. “We want to be a force at some point … it is an exciting time for Hong Kong football.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3260050/technical-director-john-morling-urges-hong-kong-emulate-world-cup-surprise-packages-wants-coach-jorn?module=top_story&pgtype=section