French coach Alain Perrin has been appointed head coach of China's national soccer team, state media reported on Wednesday, ending rumours that Marcello Lippi was being lined up for the role.
"The head coach of the national team has already been decided - it's Perrin," he said. "This is not a secret."
The head coach of the national team has already been decided - it's Perrin. This is not a secret.
The overseas website of the official People's Daily reported that the 57-year-old would earn less than US$1 million a year.
Yu said Perrin would meet national team players at the Qingyuan training base in Guangdong on thursday and would be in charge of the team in March for their last Asian Cup qualifier against Iraq, in Dubai.
Perrin's appointment came to many as a surprise. The Titan Sports and Beijing Times newspapers reported that his compatriot, Pierre Lechantre, would head the team.
Lippi, who currently coaches China Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande and won the AFC Champions League with them last season, was also widely tipped for the job.
Perrin led Lyon to a French league and cup double in 2008 and most recently coached Qatari club Umm Salal.