Former Spain manager Jose Antonio Camacho has been appointed the new boss of China, the Chinese Football Association have confirmed.

Camacho: Aiming for World Cup finals

The 56-year-old ex-Real Madrid coach takes over from Gao Hongbo, whose last match in charge was the 1-0 friendly victory over Jamaica on Wednesday, on a three-year-contract.

"I am happy to be coach of the Chinese national team," said Camacho.

"I hope the Chinese people can give us their tremendous support and we will play our best football for the people.

"I am fully aware of our goal. We will go all out to improve the national side's performance and battle for a place in the World Cup finals.

"Meanwhile, I need some time to gain a full insight into the team before working out more efficient plans and strategies so as to make a substantial impact on the squad."

China begin the third stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on September 2 against Singapore in Kunming and will also face Iraq and Jordan in their group.

"It is a must for China to appoint excellent foreign coaches to help improve Chinese football," said Wei Di, executive vice-president of the CFA.

"The appointment is not only aimed at chasing a good result in the World Cup qualifying matches, it is also part of the efforts to set up an appropriate system that can help China develop footballers and create its own style of play in the long term."

A training camp has been organised for August 22 before Camacho takes charge of his first game against Singapore.

Chinese football has been tarnished by a series of poor performances in continental tournaments following their debut at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals as well as a match-fixing scandal in the domestic league at the beginning of last year.