Nicolas Anelka becomes player-coach at Shanghai Shenhua

The Chinese team earlier announced Anelka had joined the coaching staff along with four other coaches, which includes former Spurs keeper Ian Walker, to give 'training support to ensure the competitive state of the players'.

It was thought the former Chelsea striker would be working alongside current coach Tigana but it is now being reported the French manager has left the club and is negotiating a compensation package.

A club statement read: 'Due to the team's recent record which has not met the expectations and demands of the club's fans, media and other parties and the fact the foreign players are in urgent need of high-quality training the club has made the decision to replace some members of the coaching staff.

'The club will introduce four coaches from the United Kingdom and France to join the coaching staff to provide the necessary training support to ensure the competitive state of the players.

'In addition, the team captain Nicolas Anelka will coach and participate in the team's daily training management.'

Shenhua have won just one of their opening five games in the Chinese Super League, and now it seems officials at the club have decided to act by appointing the 33-year-old as manager.

The move has surprised some people as Anelka only joined the club in January from Chelsea and obviously has no managerial experience.

Metro

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Following in the footsteps of John Terry I see...

he is manager or coach/player?

Doc wrote:Following in the footsteps of John Terry I see...

I was going to post this :vagi:

WOW.

:vagi:

REWB wrote:does he even know how to speak Chinese?

As long as he has somebody to translate it for him its fine .... Shakhtar's coach Lucescu has been coaching in Ukraine for years , yet he still has a translator

REWB wrote:does he even know how to speak Chinese?

One can learn...

Mandarin* :vagi:

Anelka speaks football. No mandarin needed.

Zealous wrote:Anelka speaks football. No mandarin needed.

you genius, you

Anyway, Anelka couldn't lead his own two feet most of the time - how the hell is he gonna lead a team???

Zealous wrote:Anelka speaks football. No mandarin needed.