Former Guam national team manager Gary White is recently named as the new head coach of China League One club Shanghai Shenxin FC.

The 41-year-old mentor, who led Matao to the final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers by beating more illustrious teams Turkmenistan and India, became the first coach of British origin to handle a "professional Chinese club" after his exit from the Guam squad not only as chief bench tactician but also its technical director, as per SkySports.

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The report noted that White also "holds the UEFA Pro Licence and recently became the first Briton to take his elite coaching badges in Japan".

"It's an honor to become the first westerner to take charge of the club and a thrill to be working in one of the largest cities in the world," White said. "It's the right step in my career at the right time and the club has massive potential."

Shanghai Shenxin was relegated to the Chinese second tier domestic competitions this term after a dismal campaign in the China top flight last season, finishing in the cellar of the 16-team tournament with only four wins in 30 matches to show for.

Club chairman Xu Guoliang is keen on returning to the Chinese Super League next year and made White's hiring the first step in accomplishing the said goal.

"The timing to go to China I think is perfect," the former British Virgin Islands and Bahamas head coach said, via the South China Morning Post. "Chinese football is really starting to blossom and it's an opportunity for coaches like myself to make a statement and to really get your teeth into a league which is becoming very competitive."

White also said that he is aiming to fulfill the club's plan to go back to the CSL next season as he injects his much-needed knowledge and experience to the players of Jinshan Football Stadium residents.

White took over from former coach Kim Sang-ho of South Korea, who cited health issues as the main reason of his resignation.

TagsChina Football, china league one, Guam national football team, Gary White, Shanghai Shenxin FC