SHANGHAI, July 26 — Terry Butcher has joined the coaching staff of Guangzhou R&F with the Chinese club hoping that the former England captain can help fix their leaky defence.

The 60-year-old, who won 77 caps and had a reputation as a no-nonsense centre-back in his playing days, has been made defensive coach for the Chinese Super League (CSL) side.

He joins head coach Dragan Stojkovic, the former Yugoslav great under whom R&F have forged a reputation for attacking football — but also conceding goals.

R&F are mid-table in the CSL but have shipped 45 goals in 19 games, the worst defensive record in the league.

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Butcher “will assist the team in the second half of the 2019 season”, R&F said in a statement on Friday on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter.

Butcher made his name as a player at Ipswich Town before moving to Glasgow Rangers in 1986. He retired in 1993.

In a varied coaching career he has been in charge of club sides in England, Scotland, Wales and Australia, although his managerial record never matched his stellar playing days.

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He has his work cut out in southern China.

In R&F’s previous match in the CSL they were thrashed 5-0 at home by local rivals and league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.

On Tuesday they were beaten 4-0 by Premier League Southampton in a friendly. — AFP