(From left) China's then-head coach Jia Xiuquan, players Wu Haiyan, Han Peng, Wang Shuang and Wang Shanshan cheer before the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. (DING XU/XINHUA)

BEIJING - The Chinese Football Association has started the process of searching for a new head coach for the senior women's national team.

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Shui Qingxia, the interim head coach, led the "United Team", de facto the national team, to beat Shanghai 1-0 in the final of the National Games in September

According to the notice released by the CFA on Friday, the candidate must have Chinese nationality and be under the age of 60. Furthermore, he or she must have coaching experience in U19 and above national teams or women's Super League sides, or being head/assistant coach in the top league of the CFA.

The Chinese side failed to survive the group stage at Tokyo 2020, following a 5-0 defeat to Brazil, a 4-4 draw with Zambia and an 8-2 loss to the Netherlands. The contract of then-head coach Jia Xiuquan expired after the Olympic Games.

Shui Qingxia, the interim head coach, led the "United Team", de facto the national team, to beat Shanghai 1-0 in the final of the National Games in September.

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"It is an utmost honor to coach the Chinese women's team. This means responsibility, and if possible I hope I can take it," added Shui, the former Chinese international.