Despite a report that former World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi is close to becoming the next head coach of China's national team, soccer experts and fans remained coolheaded and said they didn't expect the next coach to improve the level of the squad immediately.

The Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport reported on Wednesday that Lippi was "inclined to accept the offer" by the China Football Association and would travel to Beijing soon to discuss the details.

In an announcement on Thursday afternoon, the CFA said the selection of the new head coach was underway, adding that it will make sure a new coach is in place before Nov 1.