Hao Wei to Leave Women's Team to Join Evergrande

Chinese national women's football team coach Hao Wei has resigned from his position to join Chinese Super League champion Guangzhou Evergrande in a move that he said is for "better personal development."

Hao will become the assistant coach under Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who won the World Cup coaching Brazil in 2002. Hao will also serve as the head coach of Evergrande's reserve team.

According to a statement posted on the website of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), Hao's resignation has been accepted.

The CFA statement read: "Since becoming head coach of the women's national team in January 2012, Hao Wei has been devoted to his work, the team's management and training even in their down times. The team has made improvements in technique and tactics, winning bronze at the 2014 Asian Cup and advancing to the 2015 World Cup last eight. We had a sincere communication with Hao Wei about his resignation. We respect Hao's wish for 'further personal development.'"

The CFA has already started to seek a replacement for Hao in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers next February.

Hao's move to Evergrande has been confirmed by the Chinese Super League's defending champion.

In the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Hao gained the respect of the Chinese football community after he helped the Chinese women's team gain a spot in the competition after eight years of absence. The team managed to reach the quarterfinals but lost to the U.S., the eventual champions, in a 0-1 game.

After the World Cup loss, Hao already expressed his interest in leaving his position as coach.

CFA only accepted Hao's resignation after China completed its East Asian Cup itinerary in Wuhan, Hubei Province, earlier in the month. During this time, he was still in charge of the team, which lost all three of its matches to South Korea, North Korea and Japan.