BEIJING, Aug 22: Zhu Guanghu is formally out as China's coach, newspapers said on Wednesday.

The national soccer association's coaching committee put its seal on Zhu's departure on Tuesday, The Beijing News reported, quoting China's team manager Wei Shaohui.

Zhu's contract with the association ran through last month's Asian Cup tournament, in which China failed to get past the group stage for the first time since 1980.

“After three years as commander, it's bittersweet to hand this position over to someone else,” Zhu was quoted as saying.

Among the candidates to replace Zhu is former France international Jean-Pierre Papin. China's successful under-23 coach, Serbian-born Ratomir Dujkovic, has also been mooted for the position, although his primary role at present is preparing China for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.—AP