Dragomir Okuka, more commonly known as "Dragan" in China, was named head coach of Chinese Super League (CSL) side Changchun Yatai, the Changchun-based club announced Monday.

The club didn't reveal the specific details of Dragan's ­contract, but reports said his contract expires at the end of next season.

After Svetozar Sapuric's resignation last week, general manager Gao Jinggang took the interim job. He led the team to draw 0-0 with Guizhou Renhe on Sunday.

Yatai will host high rollers ­Shandong Luneng on Wednesday.

Dragan joined the Chinese top tier in 2011 when ­Jiangsu Sainty, who were battling against relegation, picked him as head coach. He led the team to finish the season in fourth place of the 16-team league.

He also took Sainty to claim the Chinese FA Super Cup in 2013, Sainty's first ­top-tier ­trophy ever, but the team dropped to 13th place the same season in the league after being runners-up in 2012.

After eight rounds of the current season, teams from ­Northeast China are all struggling. The four teams, Yatai, ­Liaoning Whowin, Dalian Aerbin and Harbin Yiteng, make up the bottom-five along with newly promoted Henan Jianye.

Yatai, Whowin and Aerbin all have one win, three draws and four defeats so far this ­season. Yatai's sole win was something worth bragging about, as they stunned the reigning Asian champions Guangzhou ­Evergrande 3-1 at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou last month.

Whowin have already changed their head coach, as Gao Sheng resigned after five rounds of the CSL and was replaced by former assistant coach Chen Yang. They visit Shanghai to face Shenxin on Wednesday.

Aerbin are reportedly in a back-pay crisis. Coach Ma Lin said his players are "desperate for a win to relieve their pressure." They host Guizhou ­Renhe on  Wednesday.

Yiteng are the only club who failed to grab a point after eight rounds since the launching of the CSL in 2004. They played their first seven games on the road before hosting Beijing Guoan on Sunday.

Second-bottom Jianye are hoping to bag easy points from Yiteng on Wednesday.

Global Times