China

Technical director Wu Jingui appointed as Shanghai Shenhua new coach

Technical director of the club Wu Jingui has been appointed as the new coach of Shanghai Shenhua after Gus Poyet had resigned on Monday.

“This is a sudden decision,” Wu told local media at Shenhua’s training base in Pudong New Area, as quoted by Shanghai Daily.

“The team is in a difficult period, but the fans and officials still have expectations from the team. As a technical team member, I know the team well, and I feel the responsibility and determination to rebuild the team’s spirit. We are confident of making the players give full play to their skills again.

“(Despite the present circumstances) we will still try to achieve the goal the club set for the season (to win a spot in next year’s AFC Champions League).”

Gus Poyet has resigned as manager of Shanghai Shenhua after a 2-1 loss to Henan Jianye in the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Sunday evening.

This fourth straight defeat has stumbled the ambitious club to 12th place, with seven points above the relegation zone when there are only seven games left in this season.