Serb Antic appointed to coach CSL Luneng of China

Former Serbian coach Radomir Antic has completed his deal with a Chinese Super League club earlier this week.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Serb media reported that the 64-year-old signed a two-year contract to coach Shandong Luneng, before the Chinese Super League club confirmed it late on the very night.

No financial details have been released, but it was rumored that Antic earned a deal worth at least two million euros.

Antic will arrive on January 8, 2013 in Jinan, capital city of the eastern China's Shandong province, where Luneng based, according to the official website of the former CSL champions.

"I'm not an old China hand, but I've been trying to get to know China and the Chinese soccer," he said. "It could be a challenge that I'm not afraid of."

Antic believes his philosophy of suiting coaching theories to local conditions will help him advoid repeating the failure of predecessor Henk ten Cate.

"I'm nothing like the Dutchman," he said. "I'll never ask a player of my side to do anything beyond his ability, nor handle any of them a lot of pressure."

"My first task in Luneng will be to restore the proud and confidence of my players," he added.

The former Red Star Belgrade coach led his national side to the World Cup Finals in South Africa two years ago, when Serbia exited in the first round despite beating eventual semifinalists Germany in the group stage.

Without Antic, Serbia won its opening European Championship qualifier against the Faeroe Islands, but drew against Slovenia.

The Serbian federation had backed Antic as coach after the World Cup but decided to sack him following the draw against Slovenia and made Vladimir Petrovic to take his place.

Federation president Tomislav Karadzic said the four matches suspension, which Anitic earned from FIFA after insulting a referee at the World Cup, was one of the reasons for firing the highly admired coach.

During his 25-year coaching career, Antic has also been at the helm of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.