The Football Association of Hong Kong, China said on Friday the head coach of local side Eastern, Roberto Losada, will take over coaching duties for the SAR team on an interim basis.

Losada will be splitting his time between Eastern and the SAR squad.

He's replacing Ashley Westwood, who left by mutual consent last month after the SAR failed to qualify for the Asian Cup.

The association said Losada would be in charge until the completion of its recruitment efforts for a new head coach in an attempt to ensure stability during this transition period.

Nicknamed Chino, the 49-year-old has won the best manager award in each of the past three seasons in local football.

He led Eastern to lift the Senior Shield last season and the FA Cup the year before that.

Speaking through the association, Losada said he was pleased to start on a journey with the SAR team and would try to fulfil the football association's vision.

He has picked 51 players – many of them senior players – in the preliminary squad for the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup that begins at the end of the month.

In recent years, the competition had mostly featured Hong Kong youth players.