Former Chinese National Soccer Team English head coach Bobby Houghton was appointed head coach of the Pudong Whirlpool Soccer Club on December 15, according to report of China Daily on December 16.

The Shanghai-based club ranked fourth in the Group B Finals of the 99' Chinese professional league.

"My goal is to help the Pudong club get a Group A ticket by the end of next year," said Houghton, who was sacked by the Chinese Football Association last Friday after failing to take the Chinese team to the 2000 Olympic Games.

"I chose Pudong because I love Shanghai and the club is well positioned to become a member of Group A."

Zhu Guanghu, the former coach of the then Jianlibao Team that had a clinic in Brazil for five years, and Liu Wenbin are appointed to be the assistants.

Group B Finals of the league will have 12 teams in the 2000 season. Pudong will have to finish within the top two to qualify for the Group A competition.

Most Pudong players were not surprised by Houghton's arrival and are optimistic about the club's outlook next season.