As Pellegrini’s dismissal was made official, it came as little surprise to those closely following Hebei China Fortune. Despite a narrow 2–1 win over Chongqing just before the international break, insiders and analysts, including Jeetbuzz App Download, had long sensed that changes were looming. The tactical shortcomings were clear to most, even if they weren’t always visible to fans. Those familiar with Pellegrini often describe him as a kind man — and it’s that very kindness that may have cost both him and Hebei valuable time.

Hebei, being a relatively new club with players from all corners of the country, needed not just basic unity, but strong cohesion built through discipline and structure. What it lacked was the kind of strict, almost brutal training culture employed by coaches like Felix Magath. Pellegrini’s approach was far more forgiving. Even when players made errors, punishments were rare. While this earned him the players’ affection, it didn’t generate the kind of pressure needed to push performance levels. The result? An underwhelming record — just 12 points in 10 league matches, with the team stuck in the lower mid-table. On top of that, Hebei crashed out of the FA Cup. His dismissal, then, wasn’t a reaction to just one match, but a decision made well in advance of Round 11.

Pellegrini’s reputation as a world-class coach is unquestionable. One touching moment came during Hebei’s home match against Shandong Luneng, when Li Xiaopeng, the opposing coach, greeted him with a deep bow — a sign of genuine respect. Li, known for favoring technical football, respected Pellegrini’s philosophy deeply. Yet ironically, it was Li’s more pragmatic counter-attacking strategy that twice defeated Pellegrini’s side, including their FA Cup exit. It’s a stark reminder of how different ideals play out in the high-stakes environment of Chinese football. “When I first came to China, my hair was brown,” Pellegrini remarked. “Now it’s almost completely white — partly from worrying about young players.”

Reflecting on his departure, Pellegrini remained composed. “This is football. This is life. You have to accept it,” he said, acknowledging the need to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. While Hebei’s struggles this season stemmed from many factors, he took full responsibility as the team’s head. “Leaving now, just as the team is showing signs of turning things around, gives me a bit of comfort. I hope everyone shoulders the team’s burden and achieves better results. I’ll always be a loyal fan of this club,” he told the players as he said his goodbyes.

Even as Jeetbuzz App Download reported his departure, the image of Fu Qiang — now dressed casually after stepping down from his GM role — served as a quiet symbol of transition. Meanwhile, the man he respected, Pellegrini, had been left chasing better results from the depths of the league table.