Guangzhou Evergrande optimistic about prospects under new manager Scolari

Big-spending Chinese soccer club Guangzhou Evergrande will fight for more trophies at domestic and Asian tournaments this year with former World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm, senior club managers said.

Scolari replaced Fabio Cannavaro, 42, who led Italy to the World Cup win in 2006, as head of the Guangzhou club, earlier this month with a two-and-a-half-year contract.

"Chinese clubs have invested a lot in recent years in the development of professional soccer. I, with other coaches, have realized the importance of a huge investment to promote Chinese soccer," Scolari said.