File photo of Alain Perrin. [Photo/icpress.cn]

Factbox on Alain Perrin, appointed head coach of Chinese national team on Friday.

Basic information

* Born on October 7, 1956 in Lure, Haute-Saône, France

* Retired French footballer and current coach

* In his first appointment coaching a national team

Youth career

1966–1970 - FCSR Haguenau, France

1970–1971 – Tomblaine, France

1971 – AS Nancy, France

Senior career

1971–1975 – AS Nancy, France

1976–1981 -Varangéville, France

1983–1987 - AS Nancy, France

Coaching career

* 1983 – Began career at AS Nancy as junior coach to Arsène Wenger, now manager of English Premier League Arsenal, and appointed to run the club's academy.

* 1993 -  Given his first chance at management, taking over non-league Troyes AC, taking the club to Ligue 1 after three promotions in six seasons, and qualifying for the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

* 2002 - Offered position as manager of Olympique Marseille in 2002 following his success with Troyes AC. Paid a French domestic transfer record for Didier Drogba, now with Turkey's Galatasaray, during his time at the club, but was sacked after a poor run of league form in January 2004.

* July 2004 - Named manager of Al-Ainin, the United Arab Emirates. Had little luck and was sacked after a disappointing run in October 2004.

* April 2005 - Appointed manager of English Premier League Portsmouth, replacing caretaker Velimir Zajec who had been in charge since Harry Redknapp left for Southampton in November 2004. Succeeded in keeping the club in the top flight and will be remembered for the 4-1 win over local rivals Southampton, a result that contributed to their eventual relegation. Just eight months into the job, and after only four wins from 20 games, he was sacked.

* May 19, 2006 – After being out of football management for six months returned as coach of French Ligue 1 side Sochaux.

Alain Perrin celebrates after winning the French Cup final as the coach of Ligue 1 team Sochaux, in this May 12, 2007 file photo. [Photo/icpress.cn]

* 2007 - Won the Coupe de France with his new club Sochaux, beating Marseille in the final, 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

* May 30, 2007 - Took over as manager of Olympique Lyonnaisa after the resignation of Gérard Houllier, who would later coach Aston Villa. In his first season he led the club to a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title and retained the Coupe de France he had won with Sochaux the previous year. Left the club in June 2008.

* 2008 - Rumored to be in line to take over as French national manager, but it was confirmed on July 3 that Raymond Domenech would remain in the position.

* Nov 11, 2008 - Became manager of Ligue 1 team Saint-Étienne. Was fired a little over a year later.

* 2010–2012 – Began management career in west Asia, taking control of Qatar Stars League team Al-Khor.

* 2012 – Coached Qatari Olympic team which had failed to qualify for London Games.

* Dec 20, 2012 - Joined Al Gharafa of Qatar but left just two months later.

* March 2013 - Appointed head coach of Qatar Stars League team Umm Salal, replacing Bertrand Marchand.

* Feb 27, 2014 – Confirmed as head coach of Chinese national team.

Managerial honors

Troyes AC - UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001

Sochaux - Coupe de France in 2007

Olympique Lyonnais - Ligue 1 2007–2008, Coupe de France in 2008