Chris Coleman appointed Hebei China Fortune manager replacing Manuel Pellegrini in charge
Coleman was sacked by Sunderland last month after the club were relegated from the Championship but has taken chance to manage in Chinese Super League
CHRIS COLEMAN has been appointed as the new manager of Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune.
Coleman has made the move to the Far East a month after being sacked by Sunderland following their relegation from the Championship.
He has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to take over as boss of the club after Manuel Pellegrini quit to become West Ham manager.
The 48-year-old has decided the time is right to chance his luck in China having endured a disappointing spell in charge of Sunderland.
Having quit as Wales boss after he failed to lead the country to qualifying for the World Cup, Coleman was given a series of offers to manage across the world.
He eventually plumped for the role at the Stadium of Light, convinced he could revive the club's flagging fortunes and lead them back into the Premier League.
Instead he inherited a squad of players who were unable to compete even in the Championship and he struggled to make any improvements as they plunged down to League One.
With such a poor impact at Sunderland on his record, it was unlikely Coleman would be offered a quick route back into a top job in the English game.
GUARD DOWN Pep Guardiola dismisses Yaya Toure complaints he 'has a problem with Africans' as 'lies'
But it is still a surprise he has returned to management so quickly by uprooting his family and moving to China.
Hebei one of the most high profile clubs in the Chinese Super League, although they are currently only the seventh richest according to the latest ratings by Forbes.
Most read in football
And Coleman will inherit a squad with two former Premier League players in the shape of ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano and striker Gervinho who used to play for Arsenal.
The club have been on the look-out for a new manager since former Manchester City Premier League winner Pellegrini quit his role last month.
The Chilean decided to leave China in favour of taking over from David Moyes as manager of West Ham.
Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k
- Enter for FREE
- £50m budgetand 20 transfers throughout the tournament
- Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot