Gao Hongbo became the first Chinese coach to direct a European soccer club as he signed a deal with Dutch first division team Alles Door Oefening Den Haag.
According to reports, former Chinese national coach Gao inked a one-year deal with the Dutch team as assistant coach.
Gao's move can be seen as the reward of generous Chinese investments in European soccer as Den Haag was bought early this year by China's United Vansen International Sports Corporation.
"I like the style of Dutch football and their youth training system is very appealing," the 49-year-old was quoted by Sina.com on Tuesday. "Although I was offered by other Chinese companies to go to Europe but I chose the Netherlands in the end."
It was reported that United Vansen, based in Beijing, spent eight million euros to purchase the club, currently 12th in the 18-team Dutch top flight, against the backdrop of Chinese soccer reform.
The company already reached an agreement with the club in May to set up a soccer school in Beijing.
"The youth training system of the club is outstanding and was the main reason of our purchase," said United Vansen Wang Hui.
Beijing native Gao was a leading striker in his playing days in the 1980s and 1990s.
He started coaching career in 1998 and was the first national team coach in 32 years to lead the men's team getting past Asian nemesis South Korea with a 3-0 victory in 2010.
