Shanghai Shenhua manager Jean Tigana's contract has been officially terminated, the club revealed yesterday.

Another Frenchman Jean-Florent Ikwange Ibenge was named acting head coach, Shenhua said on its website.

Club captain Nicolas Anelka retains his position as player-coach.

The other three members of the new coaching crew are French assistant coach Alioune-Kissima Toure, British goalkeeping coach Ian Walker and French physical coach Younousse El-Bouhssaini.

Tigana, 56, who signed with Shenhua last December, was "removed" after just five games in the Chinese Super League, in which Shenhua only had one win.

Anelka was promoted as player-coach on April 12 and Tigana was not even allowed to sit on the bench during the team's sixth CSL game afterwards.

Meanwhile, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba is in touch with Shenhua over a potential transfer, his Chinese agent surnamed Fan said yesterday.

Shenhua board member Zhou Jun, who signed Anelka from Chelsea in December, met Drogba's agent in Europe yesterday, Fan said with a picture posted on his micro blog.

Fan said Drogba wants Zhu Jun, Shenhua's chief investor, to call him in person. The 34-year-old striker is expected to hold talks with Zhu today.

Related

• Anelka can't meet press
• Tigana quits Shenhua job
• Shenhua taps Anelka as Tigana's assistant
• Zhu blogs of threat to sell Shenhua st
• Report: Drogba to join Anelka in Shanghai
• Shenhua reserves No. 11 for Drogba

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