File photo of China's former national youth football team head coach Shen Xiangfu. (ROBYN BECK / SPORTASIA / AFP)

BEIJING - Chinese veteran coach Shen Xiangfu said he prefers to manage the struggling Shenzhen FC in the name of technical director rather than head coach - a title he does not crave any longer.

Shen, 65, has been asked to head a newly formed coaching group after a poor run of five straight defeats in the Chinese Super League led to the sacking of South Korean Lee Jang-soo as the head coach.

Chinese veteran coach Shen Xiangfu, who previously coached several CSL teams including Beijing Guo'an, Changchun Yatai, Henan Jianye and Shanghai Shenhua, said that he decided to rise to the challenge as the Shenzhen club was left in a precarious position

Shen, who previously coached several CSL teams including Beijing Guo'an, Changchun Yatai, Henan Jianye and Shanghai Shenhua, said that he decided to rise to the challenge as the Shenzhen club was left in a precarious position.

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"After finishing my managerial spell at Tianjin Tianhai in 2019, I made up my mind not to manage a senior side again. I wanted to devote myself to youth development," said Shen, who had also coached China's U-23 national team between 2000 and 2005.

"But for the time being the Shenzhen club is in a very difficult position. If they are relegated, they will face the danger of going broke.

"I didn't want to be the head coach or the caretaker. I retain my position as technical director with the aim of helping the team stay up in the Chinese Super League.

"Once the aim is realized, I will go back to work with my kids as the club technical director. I find youth development is something gratifying and meaningful," he added.

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Before Shenzhen took on Wuhan Yangtze River on Tuesday, Shenzhen caretaker Zhang Xiaorui implied that Shen is the de facto head coach.

"Mr. Shen is responsible for directing the team's training and match play," he said.

Zhang added that he works as Shen's assistant.

After being installed in the driving seat, Shen had reportedly used a 20-day break to work with the team on defence.

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He succeeded on his first attempt to turn things around after the Shenzhen side defeated Wuhan team 3-0 to end their losing streak.

"Mr Shen worked out a very good tactical plan for the team based on counter-attacks. Our players executed it well," Zhang said after the game.

"To our great joy, we didn't concede a goal in this match," he added.

The Shenzhen side conceded 18 goals and scored only three during their run of five straight losses in August and early September.