Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Beijing: Frenchman Alain Perrin has been appointed head coach of the China national team, CFA (Chinese Football Association) Vice-President Yu Hongchen has told state media.
“The head coach of the national team has already been decided…it’s Perrin. This is not a secret,” Yu told official news portal china.org.cn.
The 57-year-old (pictured), who led Lyon to the 2008 French league and cup double, replaces interim boss Fu Bo, who filled the managerial void following the sacking of former Spain head coach Jose Antonio Camacho last July.
Perrin began his managerial career at Troyes in 1993 before moving to Marseille in 2002. Following two years at the helm of the nine-time French champions he had an unsuccessful stint in the UAE with Al Ain. After a brief spell with English side Portsmouth, Perrin went back to France and coached Sochaux, Lyon and Saint Etienne before returning to the Middle East in 2010 for an extended stay in Qatar, during which time he took charge of the national Olympic team as well as club sides Al Khor, Al Gharafa and, most recently, Umm Salal.
His first mission will be to ensure qualification for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup finals, with China needing to avoid defeat in their remaining Group C match against Iraq, which takes place in Sharjah on March 5.
China currently sit second in the standings with eight points, five behind already qualified Saudi Arabia, while 2007 Asian champions Iraq are a further two adrift meaning a point will suffice for Perrin’s side.
Photo: AFP