https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3287263/assistant-luisser-quits-hong-kong-join-former-boss-andersen-chinese-super-league
Assistant Luisser quits Hong Kong to join former boss Andersen in Chinese Super League
Austrian leaves after being involved in 33 games, four as interim boss, to reunite with Jorn Andersen at Yunnan Yukun
Wolfgang Luisser has quit as Hong Kong assistant manager to join former representative team boss Jorn Andersen at Yunnan Yukun.
He will leave after tonight’s friendly clash with Mauritius at Mong Kok Stadium.
Austrian Luisser, who was appointed in March 2022, was placed in interim charge of Hong Kong at short notice, after Andersen resigned to take over at Yunnan back in May. He oversaw World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan, as well as a tri-nations competition success when Hong Kong beat Solomon Islands and drew with hosts Fiji back in September.
Ashley Westwood was appointed head coach in August and subsequently hired Matt Holland as his No 2. Darren Arnott, the under-20 head coach, has been part of Westwood’s coaching team for the ongoing November international window.
Luisser was a key figure on Andersen’s staff, as the Norwegian revitalised the Hong Kong side during two-and-a-half years in charge. The pair led Hong Kong to January’s AFC Asian Cup finals, ending a 56-year wait for the representative team to reach a major tournament.
Hiring constraints prevented Andersen from adding Luisser to his Yunnan backroom team after he was officially installed by the then China League One club in June.
Andersen guided Yunnan to the title, and promotion to the Chinese Super League, and has been given the go-ahead to appoint Luisser ahead of the club’s debut top-tier campaign in 2025. The 45-year-old is set to start in his new post in January.
Luisser, who has also worked with the Austrian under-21 team, and had roles at Kitchee, English club Barnsley, and SCR Altach in his homeland, will leave after being involved in 33 Hong Kong matches.
He was by Andersen’s side for 25 games and will have had four fixtures with Westwood, in addition to his own four-match spell at the helm.