BEIJING, Jan. 8 -- Frenchman Alain Perrin will no longer be the head coach of the Chinese men's national football team, according to the statement on the website of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Friday.

The new coach hiring process will get started immediately, said the statement.

The CFA gave praise on Perrin's enthusiasm and strict management of the team, but on consideration of the team's performance in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as well as the future team construction, CFA and the Frenchman reached the above agreement.

Perrin took charge in March 2014, and the Chinese men's national team had a 10-game unbeaten run.

China won all the three group matches in the Asian Cup earlier in 2015, which was the best result at group stage in its tours of the tournament. Although China was knocked out by host Australia 2-0 in the quarterfinals, Chinese fans gave the team thumbs-up.

China ranked third behind Qatar and Hong Kong of China in the 2018 World Cup qualifying group with two matches to go, and there is slim chance for the Chinese team to enter the last stage of the Asian Zone qualifying campaign.