Shanghai (AFP) - Chinese football club Shanghai Shenhua named former Uruguay international Gustavo Poyet as their new coach on Tuesday, after cutting ties with his Spanish predecessor Gregorio Manzano despite finishing fourth in the Chinese Super League.

Poyet, 49, was himself sacked earlier this month by struggling Spanish outfit Real Betis.

Shenhua announced that the one-time Real Zaragoza, Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder arrived in the Chinese commercial hub on Tuesday and would begin training the team later this week.

Shenhua's performance last season earned them a berth in the AFC Champions League but the club terminated Manzano's contract earlier this month, citing unspecified "considerations about the team's future strategic development and in order to achieve its objectives for the new season".

A club announcement said it expects Poyet to "further improve on the team's tactics and put in an outstanding performance in both Asian and domestic matches in the new season".