GUANGZHOU, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Giovanni van Bronckhorst will replace Dragan Stojkovic to take charge of Guangzhou R&F, the Chinese Super League (CSL) club confirmed here on Saturday.
Serbian coach Stojkovic stepped down on Friday after five years in charge and 44-year-old Van Bronckhorst took over the team which finished 12th in the 16-team CSL last season.
"We expect that under his guidance, Guangzhou R&F will move forward steadily and meet new challenges with a brand-new look in the 2020 season," the club said in a statement.
"For me, it is a new chapter. I'm excited, full of energy. I can't wait to start." said Van Bronckhorst at the press conference.
Bronckhorst was a former Dutch international who had played as a defender and midfielder for Arsenal and Barcelona. He scored 50 goals in 494 club matches and won 14 trophies in UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Spainish La Liga and other leagues and championships.
Van Bronckhorst started to coach Feyenoord in March 2015. Under his guidance, the Rotterdam-based club has captured five trophies, including twice in the Dutch Super Cup (2017, 2018) and twice in the Dutch Cup (2017, 2018). He also led the club to its first domestic league title in the 21st century in 2017. Enditem
