New Dalian Yifang manager Rafa Benitez shows up in a training session on Tuesday in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province. Photo: IC

Former Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has been appointed as head coach of Chinese Super League (CSL) club Dalian Yifang, a move that shows the team's determination to once again become a major soccer powerhouse in China. 

"It's a big challenge for me, but I will do my best along with my team to help Dalian improve," Benitez told Chinese journalists through an interpreter. "It is a challenge but a timely challenge."

Dalian are currently sitting in 10th place in the 16-team CSL, their second season in the Chinese top flight.

The appointment of the Spaniard came a day after South Korean coach Choi Kang-hee's resignation on Monday for "personal reasons."

"I hope I can help the club not only on the first-team soccer but also the soccer academy," said Benitez, before expressing his gratitude to Wang Jianlin, chairman of the club owner Wanda Group. 

Wang, who dubs himself a "genuine" soccer fan, is thought to have played a financial role during Dalian soccer's dominance in China's top-tier league around 2000. 

Wanda Group is also a top-level sponsor of the world soccer governing body FIFA.

Benitez's move to Dalian will see him reunited with Slovakian ­midfielder Marek Hamsik, who played under Benitez at Italian giants Napoli between 2013 and 2015. The current Yifang squad also houses Belgium international Yannick Carrasco, who is quarrelling with the team. 

But some of the Dalian fans are not happy with the club's sudden replacement of Choi, who was with the team for only half a season.

"I saw hope that the team was improving under Choi but suddenly he left," a fan posted on Weibo. "Maybe several rounds later there will be people chanting 'Bring back Choi.'"

Former Beijing Guoan star Darko Matic was included in Benitez's backroom staff. The Croatian is also known for his fluent multi-language skills including Chinese, which should help Benitez's staff blend in. 

Benitez, who has a glittering coaching career with several world high-­profile clubs including Liverpool, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, led Newcastle to a 13th place finish in the English Premier League last season.

His coaching highlight was in 2005 when he led Liverpool to overcome a 3-0 deficit to AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League final and ultimately winning the match through penalty knockout.