Former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Roberto Donadoni was named coach of Shenzhen FC on Tuesday, tasked with saving them from relegation from the Chinese Super League.

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, on mainland China's southern border with Hong Kong, from the ex-Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.

Donadoni has just 10 matches to save Shenzhen, who are one off the bottom of the CSL table and have won only three games all season.

The Italian has "rich practical experience", Shenzhen said.

His first match, on Friday, is a must-win home game against basement side Beijing Renhe.