Wilkinson won the English league title as Leeds boss in 1992

Earlier this month Wilkinson called it the "right club at the wrong time".

But on Sunday, the club's money men said the ex-Leeds manager had agreed a three-year deal.

"In three years, he will strive to establish Shenhua as a first-rate Asian team," officials announced in a statement on their website.

"During his term, Mr Wilkinson will make use of his superiority, experience and wide influence in Europe to comprehensively appraise the team's development and quickly form an effective, rational and advanced game playing approach."

Wilkinson's title will be "chief technical supervisor" but the club said he would exercise the duties of head coach.

Wilkinson was sacked as manager of Sunderland in March after a disappointing five-month spell.

He has also had spells in charge of Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United and the England Under-21s.

He twice stepped in to take control of the England senior side on a caretaker basis.