Qingdao Football Club has announced the appointment of a new coach for the Chinese Super League (CSL) following its relegation to the second-tier league.
The club, which has struggled to compete at the highest level in recent years, will now have a new frontman to lead it through the remainder of the season and beyond.
The team's current manager, Guo Zhiqiang, was sacked earlier this month after a series of poor performances that led to his dismissal.
Guo had been involved in Qingdao's success during their time in the top tier of Chinese football, winning the domestic championship in 2016 and reaching the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.
However, since then, the team has struggled to find consistency and has not managed to secure a top-four finish in the league.
The decision to bring in a new coach is likely to be seen as a positive step forward for the club, as it aims to rebuild its reputation and continue its success on the international stage.
It remains to be seen whether Guo's coaching style will be able to inspire the players and help them to bounce back from the relegation setback. However, with a new head coach in place, the team can look forward to a brighter future ahead.