Li Yao (Chinese: 李尧; born 21 December 1977) is a Chinese football coach and former footballer who played as a midfielder.
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Career
Li was described as "considered the best left midfielder in China". He played for Chinese side Dalian Shide, where he was described as "already an old man in the Dalian Shide team... Li Yao was sent to the ranks of the elderly in three years. Now behind Li Ming in the Shide team is Chen Dong, behind Chen Dong is Li Yao, and behind Li Yao are a bunch of successors born after the 1980s. From the chorus of "Replace Li Yao" on the Dalian field in the 2003 season... to the so-called salary cut controversy before the 2005 season, Li Yao, a "migrant", always has stories in Dalian".
On 7 August 2026, Li was named as the head coach of China League One side Foshan Nanshi.
Style of play
Li mainly operated as a winger and was known for his speed.