Shanghai Port appoint Pereira as head coach

Henan Jianye, gestures during the 15th round match between Henan Jianye and Wuhan Zall at 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)"/>

Javier Pereira was appointed head coach of Shanghai Port after parting ways with Henan Songshan Longmen.

Hours after the Henan side announced his departure on Wednesday, the Shanghai club made known his arrival.

"Mr Javier Pereira of Spain has been appointed head coach of Shanghai Port for the new season," the Shanghai club said in a statement.

"Javier knows the Chinese Super League well after coaching in China. We hope he can steadily raise the Shanghai Port team's level and achieve good results in the new season," it added.

The 56-year-old Spaniard coached Henan Songshan Longmen to finish sixth in the Chinese Super League last season.

He was with the Henan side for pre-season training in February before reportedly being approached by Shanghai Port, which has been without a head coach since sacking Ivan Leko in early December.

"From today on, Mr Javier Pereira no longer serves as head coach of Henan Songshan Longmen club's first team," the Henan side said in a brief statement on Wednesday.

Pereira spent two one-year spells at Henan. He first took over the Henan side in 2020 September before leaving for the Levante coaching position in the following season. He then came back to Henan last January.

The timetable of the Chinese Super League 2023 campaign remains undecided amid speculations that it will start in mid-April.