The capital side suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Changchun Yatai on Tuesday, their first at the Workers' Stadium this season, to drop into a tie for second alongside Shandong Luneng and Changchun, just two points adrift of leaders Henan Jianye, who beat Shandong 2-0 yesterday.

But after a brilliant start to the season which created hope of a maiden league title, Beijing have recorded just one win in their last six games and Hong Yuanshuo, 61, has been appointed as Lee`s temporary replacement with seven games remaining.

"I heard a lot of rumours about my stepping down recently," said Lee. "I am not scared of being fired, but I think it's not right time now to sack me.

"Some people had no trust in me. I believed Beijing will win the title if we maintain our good form."

Former Chongqing Lifan and Qingdao Zhongneng coach Lee took control in 2007 and guided Beijing to a runner-up finish in 2007 and third place last year, although they failed to advance past the group stage of the Asian Champions League in the last two years.