BRITISH managers may struggle to get top jobs at home — but one is making a name for himself in China.
Gary White, 42, has steered Shanghai Shenxin away from relegation danger in the second tier since taking over in May.
And he is aiming to get the club back into the Chinese Super League.
It is part of his bold masterplan to one day manage England.
A former trainee at his home-town club Southampton, White — who played non-league for Bognor Regis — has already been coaching for 18 years . . . all abroad.
His CV includes the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Guam.
He led all three to their highest Fifa rankings.
Despite being picked by the FA for its elite coaching programme, the phone stayed silent from English clubs.
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He joked: "I couldn’t get a job at Orient so I’ve decided to go to the Orient instead!"
Now he is urging other home-grown coaches to take the plunge abroad.
He said: “If you can’t get a career in England, you must find one.
"It’s the best thing I did because I have a well-rounded idea of different cultures."
China is investing millions to turn itself into a football superpower.
And White — assisted by fellow English coaches Matt Ward and Louis Lancashire — has won the fans over so much they wave Union Jacks at their stadium.
He said: “After our first match we applauded the fans. It was a shock to them that the coaching staff went to thank them for being there.
“Now it’s become the norm and British flags have started appearing.”
Shenxin’s billionaire chairman Xu Guoliang owns a gold mine and is splashing the cash.
Chief White said: “We’re moving into a brand new stadium. It cost around £800million to build.”
White, who is married to Chinese partner Rui, added: “I’ve got to keep having success wherever I go. That creates a brand as an individual.
“Then I’d like to try to get into the European game and end up becoming England manager.”
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