In this Sept 4, 2019 photo, Li Nan, head coach of China gives instructions during the group A match between China and Venezuela at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China. (MENG YONGMIN / XINHUA)

NANJING - Former Chinese national basketball team head coach Li Nan will become the new head coach for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) side the Jiangsu Dragons, said the club on Wednesday.

Li Nan failed to lead China to direct qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at the 2019 FIBA World Cup

Li will replace Memi Becirovic, after the club noted in a statement that they were unable to agree a new deal with the Slovenian "and ended the cooperation after friendly negotiations."

An outstanding basketball player himself, Li Nan served as the head coach of the Bayi youth team, and assistant coach of the national team before taking over at the helm in 2018.

The 45-year-old failed to lead China to direct qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

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"The decision was made after careful consideration. Li has very deep insight into Chinese basketball," the club said, adding that the new coaching group will also help develop the youth team.

"Our focus is on the development of young players. I believe that his guidance can help our club a lot," said Jiangsu boss Li Haixing when the club appointed Li as team consultant in May this year.

Jiangsu failed to qualify for the playoffs of the 2019-20 CBA season, ranking 15th among the 20 teams.