ZHENG ZHI has been appointed as “executive head coach” of the cash-strapped Guangzhou FC ahead of the resumption of the Chinese Super League (CSL) actions.

“As from today, Zheng Zhi will serve as the executive head coach as well as a player of the Guangzhou FC senior team,” the Guangzhou-based club announced in a brief statement Tuesday.

The eight-time CSL champions, mired in financial crisis, has been without a head coach after parting ways with Fabio Cannavaro in late September.

Its players, left to their own devices, have been training under 41-year-old Zheng since the end of November to prepare for the remainder of the CSL season.

The logo of the club has been removed from the team bus and the players had to take care of post-training meal and laundry on their own, according to Guangzhou media reports.

Guangzhou FC also faces the possibility of playing for the rest of this season without their naturalized players as it cannot pay their salaries.

The Guangzhou side will take on Beijing Guoan next Monday, one day after the CSL resumes actions after a four-month hiatus. (Xinhua)