JINAN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- On a football pitch in Linyi, in east China's Shandong Province, a German coach stood near the touchline, clapping his hands and shouting instructions as Chinese amateurs worked through passing and positioning drills.
"Again, quicker. Look before you receive the ball," he called out, occasionally stepping onto the pitch himself to demonstrate the movement.
The coach is Jorg Peter Steinebrunner, who comes from a small town in Germany. Like many German boys, he fell in love with football as a child. After ending his playing career in Singapore, he moved into coaching in 2004.
Before arriving in China for the first time, Steinebrunner had spent more than two decades coaching high-level clubs across several Asian countries.
His latest destination, however, was an unexpected one.
In March 2026, before the start of Shandong's amateur football league, Steinebrunner was invited by former China international Feng Xiaoting to coach a grassroots team in Linyi. Feng, who now lives in the city, works alongside him as part of the coaching staff.
Most players in the squad are amateurs. Some are students, while others balance football with full-time jobs. When Steinebrunner first watched them train, he was struck by what he described as their "pure passion for football."
Asked why he chose to coach a grassroots side in China, Steinebrunner said that same passion convinced him to accept Feng's invitation and take charge of the team.
At the beginning, many of the players barely knew each other. Steinebrunner focused on building chemistry step by step. A simple pass, a well-timed run, defensive cover and words of encouragement gradually became part of the team's growing identity.
Under his guidance, the players slowly learned to read each other's movements on the pitch. What had once looked like a collection of football enthusiasts began to resemble a proper team.
Although many of the players had never received systematic professional training, Steinebrunner insisted on preparing them with the mentality of a professional side.
During training sessions, he paid close attention to basic techniques, passing rhythm, defensive positioning and attacking movement. He regularly stopped drills to explain why a player should move into a certain space, when to press and how to communicate with teammates.
"We prepare like we prepare a professional team," he said. "The only difference is the name."
When the team struggled, Steinebrunner continued to encourage the players. He urged them to stay calm, stay brave and trust the work they were doing. Before matches against stronger opponents, he often reminded them not to fear the crowd, the occasion or the reputation of the opposition.
Even after defeats, he refused to view results simply in terms of winning or losing. Instead, he encouraged the players to focus on the progress they had made. If they defended better, created more chances, communicated more clearly or showed stronger spirit than before, then the match still held value.
"Don't be afraid of anything," he said. "When you are down, don't go down. When you are up, don't go up. Stay level-headed."
After just two months, changes have already become visible within the squad. The players are more familiar with each other's movements, more willing to communicate on the pitch and more confident under pressure.
Qi Lu, one of the players, said Steinebrunner's arrival had helped the team improve not only technically, but mentally as well.
"Under the coach, we have gained a clearer understanding of how to train, how to cooperate and how to face difficult moments in matches," Qi said.
The team remains young and far from complete, but for many players, the biggest change is their growing belief that grassroots football can also be serious, organized and meaningful.
Feng also highlighted the German coach's influence on the team. In his view, Steinebrunner has brought more than tactical instruction and technical guidance. He has also introduced a sense of professionalism to grassroots football.
That professionalism, Feng believes, can help players develop stronger habits and a deeper understanding of the game.
"It may also contribute to the long-term growth of social football in China, where more amateur players, communities and local teams are becoming part of the country's football development," Feng added. ■
