GUS Poyet is getting used to life in Shanghai. Four months since arriving in the city as the coach of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, the Uruguayan says that he is already planning for a long stay in China.

“It (coming to China) was not an easy decision as people would say that if you come to China, your career is finished. But now I’m delighted that I am here and would like to make it long-term,” the former Chelsea player tells Shanghai Daily. “If China manages to maintain this enthusiasm, in 10 years it will become one of the best places to play football.”

Poyet’s Shenhua is fourth in the 16-team Chinese Super League with four points from its opening two home matches. The team suffered an early elimination from this year’s AFC Champions League, losing 0-2 to Brisbane Roar in their one-match qualifier at Hongkou Football Stadium on February 8. It was also Poyet’s first match.

“The bad thing about that game was we lost. But the good thing was we played the game the way we had planned to,” Poyet says. “But we never thought of conceding a goal after just two minutes (after kick-off). The team was then in a hurry and desperate to score.

“(After the loss) I was not worried about my work or the players’ attitude. We live in a football world where it’s all about results ... It was our first game and I was very happy with the team, but disappointed with the result, as we really wanted to play in the AFC Champions League.”

Poyet says the team’s objective for the season has not changed — to advance to next year’s Asian competition. To do that, Shenhua needs to finish in the top three in the CSL or win the China FA Cup.

“The higher position the better, but at the moment, the main focus is team building. We played two home games, but haven’t played in the away matches yet, which would be a totally different situation. As a manager I need to know how the players react in away games.”

“The priority is to be always at the top (of the standing). If you are in the top pack, you will always find a chance to have a final sprint ... And you have to avoid draws when there is a chance to grab three points.”

Poyet also believes the team’s star striker Carlos Tevez would only get better as the season progresses. The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker shined on his CSL debut, scoring from the penalty spot and grabbing two assists in Shenhua’s 4-0 victory over Jiangsu Suning.

Poyet confesses signing Tevez was a bit of a surprise to him. “The club officials told me that a deal to sign a big-name player was being worked out ... It was great when I knew it was Carlos.”

Poyet also dismisses rumors about the Argentine being unhappy in China.

“An Italian media started the rumor of his going back to Argentina, and the whole world got on it. I happened to be with Carlos that morning, and he was talking to me about his new life arrangements in Shanghai. And in the afternoon the rumor came up. I immediately knew that it was a story made from nowhere.

“He is enjoying his time here. But he needs time to adapt to the team, the teammates and every little detail. Here, the game is very fast and you need to use brains. No matter how much quality you have, you need to adapt to your team and the position ... I promise you he will get better and better, and will turn out to be fantastic for us.”

Poyet had only once visited China before — in 2015 for a friendly match between veteran players in Guangzhou. That’s when he got the chance to meet Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian had half-a-year coaching experience with Evergrande, and shared his stories about China. That was also the first time when he watched his current club take on Evergrande in a CSL match that featured star names like Tim Cahill and Robinho.

“I was watching the game with fans, and it was incredible. Chinese football was not well known in the world a few years ago. People knew names of a few players who joined the league, but could not watch it. This year, the league is live in South America, and people wake up on Sunday morning to watch Tevez. Reporters called me up to talk about the game, which was not possible five years ago. Now it’s known worldwide. It’s good for Chinese football.”

Very passionate and extremely expressive, Poyet’s biggest challenge in China is communicating with local players. The Uruguayan would prefer to talk directly to his players, but he has to depend on his interpreter most of the time. “I can’t make my interpreter ‘act,’ but I also want my players to know what emotion I’m in. That could be misleading sometimes. A player might think I’m upset when I’m just trying to be clear and strong.”

Having picked up English during his playing and coaching days in England, Poyet says he hopes to pick up some basic Chinese if he is here for three years. “It would be a shame if I stay here for three or four years and don’t speak Chinese.”

His unrelenting pitch side posturing and whistling at players has already won him fans, who clearly love his passion during the game.

“As a coach, sometimes when you shout, the players don’t listen to you ... I whistle to get attention from my players. At least then they look at me. I remember when I was coaching in England and whistling, the fans behind me started whistling as well ...

“When the players get used to (my whistling), they will know something is wrong ... You will hear it a lot,” he says with a hearty laugh.

Shenhua manager Wu Xiaohui said previously that the former Leeds United and Real Betis manager’s passion and ability to communicate with the club was what impressed them most about him.

“I’m passionate. That’s my personality, which helped me a lot in my career. I become very supportive of the team where I’m working. For me, it’s very important to keep a balance between being professional and emotional,” says Poyet.

Poyet has yet to meet his city rival Andre Villas-Boas, who manages Shanghai SIPG. Both of them spent a good part of their career in England — Poyet as a Chelsea player from 1997 to 2001, and Villas-Boas as a coach for the Blues from 2011 to 2012.

“This shows how big a city Shanghai is that we haven’t met yet,” says Poyet. “I will probably have to wait till the derby. I am also looking forward to meet (Hebei China Fortune head coach Manuel) Pellegrini, with whom I have a decent relationship. They are all big names (as managers).”

Poyet agrees with Villas-Boas that Chinese Football Association’s sudden change of regulations over the use of foreign players and insistence on playing one under-23 player left them stumped. But he does admit that in the long run it will benefit Chinese football.

“The reason of introducing the rules (to use U23 players) was right, but it was a bit too sudden. But the good thing is the rule is the same for everyone, and we will handle it.”

Poyet’s love affair with Shanghai has only just begun.

“I regard myself lucky to work in a big city like Shanghai. I enjoy walking around and observing people’s life. There are things you need to understand, like the way people here cross the road, but I’ll get used to it.”