White, originally from England, has spent the last six and half years in Asia. He was the head coach of the Guam national team for four years from 2012 to 2016, followed by a spell with the China League One team, Shanghai Shenxin. Prior to joining the HKFA, he was the head coach of the Chinese Taipei Football association.

HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe said: "Gary joins us with a wealth of experience at the international level having previously managed four senior national teams, his knowledge of football in Asia was also a factor we took into consideration in making his appointment.

"I wish him well and call upon all football stakeholders in Hong Kong to get behind the new head coach and work with him to achieve the success we all crave."

Borkelmans, who was a steely defender in his playing days, replaces Lamal Abu Abed and is tasked with preparing Jordan for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on January 1-February 5.

The JFA said in a statement: "We thank Lamal Abu Abed for his efforts in the previous months, but we the FA made this decision for the interest of the national team at this period of preparations for Asian Cup 2019 in UAE."

The 71-year-old joins another well-known veteran coach, the Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, in taking a major role in China's aggressive push to become a force in international football.

Announcing Hiddink as the U-21s boss, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said: "The main task is to go for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Qualification for the 2020 Olympics is through the AFC U23 Championship, with the preliminary stage scheduled for 2019 with Thailand having been recommended as the host for the Finals in 2020.

"In the days to come, under the leadership of Hiddink and his coaching team, the U-21 boys will pursue their Olympic dreams."

The 55-year-old former Slovenia and Yugoslavia international, who had also previously managed Macedonia, United Arab Emirates and Slovenia, said there would be a transitioning period but he is committed in ensuring Iraq achieve success.

“I am happy and proud to be the new coach of Iraq but there is not going to be a quick solution,” said Katanec, who has replaced Basim Qasim.

“This is going to be a long process and it is going to take time to build the team at all levels. It is an exciting challenge, however, as there is a lot of talent in Iraq and if we can start moving in the right direction, then I am confident that we can have success.”

Kim Pan-gon, who heads the Korea Football Association's (KFA) national team coach appointment committee, said Bento will lead Korea Republic through the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The 49-year-old Portuguese will succeed Shin Tae-yong, who handled Korea Republic at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

Cuper, 62, whose most recent job was with the Egyptian national team, told journalists in the capital Tashkent that Uzbekistan can be "a strong team in Asia" after he was greeted at the airport by dozens of boisterous fans.

Cuper's contract with the "White Wolves" as Uzbekistan's national team is known, runs three years with the possibility of a one-year extension which would take him beyond the 2022 World Cup in Qatar if triggered. 

His first major assignment will be the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 where Uzbekistan are in Group F with Japan, Oman and Turkmenistan.

The 49-year-old Moriyasu, who in October took over as head coach of the Japanese men's team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, fills the void left by Akira Nishino after the Samurai Blue's 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 defeat by Belgium in Japan's sixth World Cup appearance.

Nishino took the reins following the dismissal of predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic in April, two months before the World Cup, and his brief run as Japan coach ended in July when his contract expired.

Moriyasu, who remains as the Under-21 Japan coach, pledged to bring new blood to the top national side.

"There will be generational changes. There will be integration of various generations of players," he told a press conference.