Zhang Yaokun (; born 17 April 1981) is a Chinese football coach and retired footballer.
Club career Zhang Yaokun started his football career in 1998 with Dalian Shide; however, due to an ankle fracture, he struggled to establish himself within the team and it was only once he overcame his long term injury did he start to become a regular. He later became an integral member of the defense and helped Dalian in their dominance within Chinese football by winning league titles in the 2001 season and the 2002 season as well as the Chinese FA Cup in 2001. After Dalian had a disappointing 2004 season, Vladimir Petrović came in as the new manager and would loan out Zhang to Sichuan Guancheng during the 2005 season where he quickly established himself as a key member of the club. He returned to Dalian the following season where he continued to be a key member of the squad and would go on to become their captain.
On 18 December 2012, Zhang transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F. He made his debut for the club on 9 March 2013 in a 4-2 loss against Liaoning Whowin. On 26 February 2017, Zhang transferred to League One side Wuhan Zall.富力官方宣布张耀坤转会卓尔 at sports.sohu.com 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2017-02-27
On 12 November 2018, Zhang Yaokun publicly announced his retirement from professional football right after Wuhan Zall successfully promoted to Chinese Super League.
Coaching career On 14 December 2025, Zhang was appointed as the head coach and general manager of China League One club Dalian K'un City.大连鲲城官方：张耀坤出任总经理兼主帅，免去曲晓辉一切职务 at baidu.com 2025-12-14 Retrieved 2025-12-18
On 21 August 2026, Zhang was named as the new head coach of China U16.官方：张耀坤出任中国U16国家男子足球队主教练 at dongqiudi.com 2026-08-21 Retrieved 2026-08-21
International career Zhang was called-up to the Chinese national team for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup where he made several appearances coming on as a substitute and playing in numerous positions in defence. He continued to be a regular for the squad that qualified for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and he and Li Weifeng were the first-choice centre back pairing during the tournament.
Career statistics 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 Total1998Dalian ShideChinese Jia-A League30 0-00030199980 0-008020000000-1 -00+1200110040-10-150200227010-3020330200327060-50404202004Chinese Super League170100020-2002005Sichuan Guancheng2611100--2722006Dalian Shide24350-51303742007254----2542008264----2642009261----2612010261----261201126110---271201227210---2822013Guangzhou R&F28020---300201429020---310201530020-70-390201626160---3212017Wuhan ZallChina League One26100---261201822000---220 Career total 459 19 32 1 0 0 23 1+1 9 0 523 21+1
International goals Results list China's goal tally first. #DateVenueOpponentScoreCompetition119 June 2005Changsha, China2–2Friendly international22 June 2007San Jose, United States1–4Friendly international328 October 2007Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4–02010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
Honours Club Dalian Shide Chinese Jia-A League: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 Chinese FA Cup: 2001 Chinese FA Super Cup: 2000, 2002
Wuhan Zall China League One: 2018
International China PR national football team East Asian Football Championship: 2005
Individual Chinese Super League Team of the Year: 2004
References
External links
Player profile at sodasoccer.com