Behind Canton's stellar record in the 2024 season, it was not possible to do without Salvador's strategizing. The coach led the team to a record of 14 wins, 10 draws and 6 losses, scoring 51 goals and conceding only 35, winning the third place with a high score of 52 points. At one point, the team was expected to make a run for the top spot, but failed to do so, but the hope of advancing to the next level is still on the horizon.
As the clock struck the end of the year, the 45-year-old Salvador made a magnificent turnaround with his coaching team to join southwestern powerhouse Chongqing Tongliang Dragons after 569 days of coaching in Guangzhou to start another soccer journey.
Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, a team that has climbed up the ranks from the lower leagues in recent years, failed to realize its dream of overtaking the Super League in the 2024 season, and ranked fifth in the Central League with 50 points from 13 wins, 11 draws and six defeats, but its lineup is still a force to be reckoned with in the new Central League season.
The arrival of new coach Salvador means that Chongqing Tongliang Dragons have added another boost to their road to the Super League in the 2025 season. It is worth mentioning that the team has common ground with Guangzhou in terms of youth player development. Chongqing Tongliang Dragons contributed 5 players to the latest U21 national football team's roster, including Xiang Yuwang, who was honored as the local Golden Boot with 15 goals.
El Salvador is good at discovering and developing young talents. If these young players can shine in the 2025 season of the Chinese League, coupled with the addition of quality foreign aid, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons are expected to be the focus of the Super League. By then, the glory of Chongqing soccer will hopefully return to the arena of the Chinese Super League.
