By the 1997 league season Tianjin would have a disappointing season when they came eleventh in the league and were relegated from the top tier. Yu Genwei would however stay with Tianjin throughout the 1998 league season to help fight for immediate promotion which they achieved when they won the second tier.
In 1997, Tianjin had a disappointing season and was relegated from the top tier of the league. Yu Genwei remained with Tianjin throughout the 1998 season to help them fight for promotion back up to the top tier. They achieved this by winning the second division.