Chinese Super League team Hangzhou Greentown have recruited Frenchman Philippe Troussier, who led Japan to the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup, as their new head coach, the club said Tuesday.

Troussier, 59, is known as the "White Witchdoctor" for his coaching stints in Africa, including the national teams of Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and South Africa.

It is Troussier's second stint in China after leading Shenzhen Ruby from 2011 to 2013. He most recently coached Tunisia's CS Sfaxien but left in September.