Petrovic, who was named the Chinese league's coach of the year in 2005 after leading Dalian Shide to the league and cup double, left Beijing on Friday disappointed he was unable to guide China to the final round of 2010 World Cup qualifiers and that he didn't have sufficient time to make an impact with the 2004 AFC Asian Cup runners-up.

"I won't forget the time I have spent coaching in China," the Red Star Belgrade legend told reporters before his departure.

"Elimination from the World Cup left me very sad but I have had many (positive) emotions which I appreciate.

"The time I have had here was too short to change anything and maybe I could have done better if I had enough time."

No announcement was made on Petrovic's replacement although China Olympic coach Ratomir Dujkovic has been linked with the post.