Former China national team striker Gao Hongbo was named as the new national team coach on Thursday. At 43, he is the youngest coach in 30 years. The popular Gao was sent to a closed camp for a three-day grilling by federation officials in February with three other candidates. China failed to qualify for the final round of World Cup 2010 qualifying in Asia. Gao’s first task will be to lead China in 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers.