The next head coach of the Chinese national football team will be chosen from a shortlist of four candidates where Shen Xiangfu figures prominently, according to a statement released by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Sunday.

The other three contenders are Gao Hongbo, Wu Jingui and Yin Tiesheng, all of whom are local veteran coaches. The under funded CFA has ruled out the possibility to recruit another foreign coach for the team.

The 51-year-old Shen, the incumbent manager of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical club, was tipped to be the favorite for the job.

The CFA will put the candidates through some written exams and interviews on Wednesday and Thursday. They are expected to unveil the new head coach late in March.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 23, 2009)