GUANGZHOU, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F appointed team's leader Li Bing as the executive coach to replace Cosmin Contra on Wednesday.

"Due to poor performance recently, we decide to appoint Li Bing as the executive coach to take charge of the team's daily training and competitions in CSL temporarily. The former coach Contra's future needs further negotiation," read a statement on the club's website.

The highly expected Guangzhou R&F, which were under the guidance of Contra at the start of the season, were eliminated in the group stage of the AFC Champions League and have only won five matches in CSL so far this season.

R&F slipped to the 11th place on the table after a four-match no-win run.