1. Early Life and Background
Zhao Junzhe was born on April 19, 1979, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China. Standing at 6.0 ft (1.83 m) tall, he would grow to become a prominent midfielder in Chinese football. Zhao Junzhe is a member of the Manchu ethnic group, a significant minority in China. Notably, he is a descendant of the Aisin-Gioro clan, which was the ruling house of the Qing dynasty. His lineage traces back to Boolungga, who was the brother of Giocangga, an ancestor of the Qing imperial family. This heritage links him to a profound historical and cultural background in China.
2. Playing Career
Zhao Junzhe's playing career spanned nearly two decades, characterized by remarkable loyalty to his club and significant contributions to the national team.
2.1. Club Career
Zhao Junzhe began his journey in football at the youth academy of Liaoning F.C.. He was promoted to the club's first team in 1998, making his professional debut during the 1998 season. In his debut year, he played a vital role in Liaoning's success, helping them achieve a runner-up finish in the Chinese Jia-B League and also reaching the final of the Chinese FA Cup.
Following his impressive debut, Zhao established himself as a key player for Liaoning, contributing to their ascent to the Chinese Jia-A League in 1999, where they secured a runner-up position. He continued to be a central figure as the team finished third in the league in 2001 and successfully promoted to the Chinese Super League in 2003.
His consistent outstanding performances led to him being promoted to club captain. In 2004, a pivotal year for his career, Zhao Junzhe was awarded the prestigious Chinese Football Association Player of the Year award, recognizing his significant impact on the league. Despite his individual accolades, the club's fortunes began to decline in subsequent seasons. Tragically, he led the team through a period that saw Liaoning relegated to the second tier, China League One, at the end of the 2008 season.
However, Zhao Junzhe's dedication remained unwavering. He chose to stay with the team despite the relegation and immediately led Liaoning back to the top flight by winning the China League One title in the 2009 season. He continued to play for Liaoning in the Chinese Super League, with the club achieving a third-place finish in 2011 and a fourth-place finish in 2004 during his tenure.
Zhao Junzhe announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of the 2016 season, marking the end of a remarkable 19-year career with Liaoning FC. His final appearance was on October 30, 2016, in a league match against Jiangsu Suning F.C.. He became one of the most enduring symbols of club loyalty in Chinese football history.
2.2. International Career
Zhao Junzhe made his debut for the China national football team in 1998. After his initial appearance, he had a period without national team call-ups, but he was re-selected in February 2002 by then-manager Bora Milutinović for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a historic moment for China as it was their first-ever participation in the tournament. During the World Cup, he played in two group stage matches and famously came close to scoring, hitting the post against Brazil.
He continued to be a crucial player for the national team, playing a vital role in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. China finished the tournament as runners-up, with Zhao playing in all six matches and earning a spot in the AFC Asian Cup All-Star Team. After the 2004 Asian Cup, he consistently appeared for the national team but eventually saw his starting position diminish, particularly with the rise of players like Zhou Haibin, leading to his gradual phasing out from the squad by 2008.
3. Managerial Career
Following his illustrious playing career, Zhao Junzhe transitioned into football coaching, taking on various roles in team management.
3.1. Caretaker and Head Coach Roles
On September 29, 2017, Zhao Junzhe was appointed as the caretaker manager of his former club, Liaoning F.C., which was struggling at the bottom of the league table at the time. In his first match as manager on October 14, he guided Liaoning to a notable 3-3 draw against the second-place team, Shanghai SIPG. Despite his efforts, Liaoning was ultimately relegated to the second tier after losing their final three matches of the season. His caretaker spell concluded on December 12, 2017, when Chen Yang took over as the permanent manager of Liaoning.
On February 21, 2023, Zhao Junzhe was appointed as the head coach of Chinese Super League club Cangzhou Mighty Lions F.C.. He served in this capacity until July 16, 2024, when he swapped positions with Li Xiaopeng, transitioning to the role of the team's general manager.
4. Achievements and Honours
Zhao Junzhe's career is marked by several significant achievements and individual accolades as both a player and a coach.
4.1. Club Honours
Liaoning F.C.
- China League One: 2009 (Winner)
- Chinese FA Super Cup: 1999 (Winner)
- Chinese Jia-A League: 1999 (Runner-up), 2001 (Third Place)
- Chinese Jia-B League: 1998 (Runner-up)
- Chinese FA Cup: 1998, 2002 (Runner-up)
- Chinese Super League: 2011 (Third Place), 2004 (Fourth Place)
4.2. International Honours
China National Football Team
- Asian Games: 1998 (Bronze Medal)
- AFC Asian Cup: 2004 (Runner-up)
4.3. Individual Honours
- AFC Asian Cup All-Star Team: 2004
- Chinese Football Association Player of the Year: 2004
- Chinese Super League Team of the Year: 2002, 2003
5. Career Statistics
5.1. Club Statistics
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Others | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| China PR | League | FA Cup | CSL Cup | Asia | Others | Total | ||||||||
| 1998 | Liaoning F.C. | Chinese Jia-B League | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | ||||
| 1999 | Chinese Jia-A League | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 25 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 29 | 5 | ||
| 2001 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 26 | 5 | ||
| 2002 | 27 | 3 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 32 | 4 | ||
| 2003 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30 | 8 | ||
| 2004 | Chinese Super League | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 22 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 20 | 1 | ||
| 2006 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 29 | 3 | ||
| 2007 | 28 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 28 | 4 | ||
| 2008 | 29 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 29 | 4 | ||
| 2009 | China League One | 24 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 24 | 5 | |
| 2010 | Chinese Super League | 29 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 29 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 28 | 5 | ||
| 2012 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30 | 5 | ||
| 2013 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 25 | 1 | ||
| 2014 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21 | 3 | ||
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 405 | 51 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 432 | 59 | ||
5.2. International Statistics
| National team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1998 | 8 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 10 | 1 |
| 2003 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004 | 20 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 71 | 2 |
5.2.1. International goals
Results list China's goal tally first.
5.3. Managerial Statistics
| Team | Nationality | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning percentage | ||||
| Liaoning F.C. (caretaker) | China | September 29, 2017 | December 12, 2017 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.00% |
| Cangzhou Mighty Lions | China | February 21, 2023 | July 15, 2024 | 51 | 12 | 12 | 27 | 23.53% |
| Total | 55 | 12 | 13 | 30 | 21.82% | |||
6. Personal Life
Zhao Junzhe's personal background is notable for his Manchu ethnicity and his ancestry within the Aisin-Gioro clan, the imperial family of the Qing dynasty. He is a descendant of Boolungga, who was a brother of Giocangga, making him a distant relative of the imperial lineage. This heritage is a significant aspect of his identity and provides a connection to China's rich historical past.
7. Legacy and Impact
Zhao Junzhe is widely regarded as one of the most dedicated and impactful figures in modern Chinese football. His nearly two-decade-long career at Liaoning F.C. exemplifies loyalty and unwavering commitment to a single club, a rarity in contemporary football. As a long-serving captain, he demonstrated strong leadership, guiding his team through both periods of success, including league titles and cup finals, and challenging times, such as relegation and subsequent promotion.
His contributions to the China national football team were also substantial, especially his participation in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and his pivotal role in China's runner-up finish at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. His individual accolades, including the Chinese Football Association Player of the Year award and multiple selections to the Chinese Super League Team of the Year, underscore his consistent excellence as a midfielder.
Even after retiring as a player, Zhao Junzhe continued to serve Chinese football by transitioning into coaching and managerial roles. His willingness to take on caretaker positions and his subsequent appointment as head coach and general manager demonstrate his enduring commitment to the sport's development in China. His career, marked by resilience, skill, and deep ties to his roots, leaves a lasting legacy of professionalism and dedication in Chinese football.