The 30-year-old Shandong striker was unable to hold his tears at the press conference when he tried to explain why he's calling it quits and heading for England to study coaching methodologies.

He indicated that he was actually forced to make the decision by the club management who had told him that there would be no place for him on the team next season.

Su Maozhen has been the leading scorer for Shangdong in the last decade, helping the team to win several national championships while winning the golden-boot award at least once for himself.

He is also among major contributing strikers for the national soccer team.

Speculating media reports say Su Maozhen wasn't very active in club matches over the last seasons, allegedly to safe his form for the World Cup. Provincial sports authorities and team management were of course very furious.

Now, the emotional player says he will participate in a Manchester United coaching program with the recommendation of his long-time mentor, former England World Cup hero, Bobby Charlton.

(People's Daily December 25, 2002)