The 55-year-old, who managed the Italian national team in 2006-2008, has spent his entire coaching career in Italy and his last job was in charge of Bologna.

He left the Serie A club in June last year after nearly three years.

Donadoni takes over at Shenzhen from the ex-Real Madrid head coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.

With few ties in Korea Republic and Japan in their latest round of fixtures, we focus on Mongolia, China PR and Chinese Taipei where there is significant movement at the top of their respective standings.

The 60-year-old, who won 77 caps and had a reputation as a no-nonsense centre-back in his playing days, has been made defensive coach for the Chinese Super League (CSL) side.

He joins head coach Dragan Stojkovic, the former Yugoslav great under whom R&F have forged a reputation for attacking football - but also conceding goals.

R&F are mid-table in the CSL but have shipped 45 goals in 19 games, the worst defensive record in the league.

The AFC delegation, led by the AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, met with the country’s top sports officials including H.E. Gou Zhongwen, Minister of General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China and H.E. Du Zhaocai, Vice-Minister of General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China and one of the AFC’s five representatives on the FIFA Council.

Dato Windsor re-affirmed the Asian football family’s confidence in China’s ability to stage an exceptional AFC Asian Cup in 2023, before outlining the AFC’s Vision, Mission, expectations, as well as key deliverables for the upcoming tournament.

Doi played in both legs when Kashima slid out at the Round of 16 phase at the hands of the Chinese Super League club – and two-time AFC Champions League winners – as Antlers continued a dismal record of failing to advance to the last eight for the fourth time since 2009.

But, with their confidence since boosted by their first-ever title win last year, Doi is convinced he and his teammates can avenge that loss and keep alive their dream of claiming back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.

Al Duhail are scheduled to meet rivals Al Sadd SC over two legs in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on August 6 and 13, before facing the same opponents when their latest domestic campaign gets underway with the Qatari Super Cup on August 17.

Despite the hectic nature of football’s modern-day calendar, Ali has targetted nothing but success for the side which finished as runners-up to Al Sadd in last season’s Qatar Stars League standings, but exacted a degree of revenge by comprehensively claiming the Amir of Qatar Cup title.

The two-time FIFA World Cup winner retired from competitive football in May following a stellar career which also saw him claim a plethora of Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Having bowed out on a high thanks to 2018-19 Qatar Stars League title success as a player with Al Sadd, the 39-year-old is adamant that his thirst for silverware remains the same as his charges prepare for a new domestic campaign and knockout stage action in the 2019 AFC Champions League.