Eriksson to lead second-tier China club Shenzhen

SHANGHAI: Former England coach Sven- Goran Eriksson Monday took charge of secondtier Chinese club Shenzhen FC, one month after leaving Shanghai SIPG despite leading them to third place in China’s top league.

The Swede will replace former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, who took over at Shenzhen in July but failed to win promotion to the Chinese Super League (CSL).

Shenzhen FC, based in the Guangdong southern province city which neighbours Hong Kong, announced the coaching change Monday on an official social media feed, saying it expected Eriksson’s “rich coaching experience, advanced football philosophy, and intimate knowledge of Chinese football” to lead the team to a new era of success.

Eriksson left Shanghai SIPG, one of China’s biggest clubs, last month after two seasons in charge.

SIPG were CSL runners- up in Eriksson’s first year at the club and reached the last eight of the 2016 AFC Champions League but crashed out to the eventual champions from South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, embarrassingly losing the second leg 5- 0.

Eriksson coached England from 2001- 2006 and went on to lead Manchester City and Leicester City.

Shenzhen FC thanked Seedorf for his contributions but gave no reason for his departure. The team were relegated to China’s second tier in 2011. — AFP