SHANGHAI — Former Argentina coach Sergio Batista has signed to lead Shanghai Shenhua for the remainder of the Chinese Super League.
Batista was introduced as the club's new coach at a press conference on Wednesday. He will begin work with the team on Friday and coach his first game on Sunday — a friendly against the South African club Moroka Swallows.
Batista signed a six-month contract to the end of the season, with the possibility to stay for another year. He will coach his first league game for Shenhua on June 16 after the league's three-week break.
Batista arrived in China last week and met on Monday with Shenhua's star signing, former Chelsea player Nicolas Anelka, who has been part of a five-man coaching lineup since former coach Jean Tigana's departure last month.