HEBEI CHINA FORTUNE have appointed former Wales and Sunderland manager Chris Coleman as their new head coach, replacing Manuel Pellegrini.
The Chinese Super League side have been on the hunt for a new coach since Pellegrini left on 19 May, taking up the vacant position at West Ham.
Coleman had been without a job following his Sunderland sacking at the end of April, a result of the club’s relegation from the Championship.
The Welshman had only been at the club since November, but he was unable to steady the ship after a disastrous start to the campaign – Sunderland ultimately suffering back-to-back relegations.
Coleman’s most impressive feat as a coach so far was undoubtedly guiding Wales to their first European Championship in 2016 and then seeing them reach the semi-finals against the odds, beating Belgium along the way and eventually going out to tournament winners Portugal.
Hebei made the announcement on their official Weibo site today, which also happens to be Coleman’s 48th birthday.
He takes over with the club eighth in the CSL and will be in charge of several renowned players such as Ezequiel Lavezzi, Hernanes, Javier Mascherano and Gervinho.
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