China's Chongqing axe head coach Bento

"From today, Paulo Bento is no longer the coach of Chongqing Lifan," the club said in a statement. "We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future."

Hao Haitao, one of Bento's assistants, has been named interim coach with Chongqing sitting 12th in the 16-team CSL.

Bento, who was appointed in December, endured a six-game losing streak that saw Chongqing slip towards the relegation zone and exit the Chinese FA Cup before they beat Tianjin Teda on Saturday in the 49-year-old's final game in charge. (Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by John O'Brien)