Javier Gracia close to signing as Rubin Kazan coach

Russian club Rubin Kazan have confirmed they have agreed a deal in principle with former Malaga manager Javier Gracia.

Negotiations are ongoing for the 46-year-old after Gracia announced this week he would leave Malaga despite two impressive campaigns with the club.

Rubin said on Twitter: "We have reached an agreement in principle with Javi Gracia on his appointment as head coach."

Gracia, who replaced Bernd Schuster in 2014, guided Malaga to an eighth-place finish in La Liga and a respectable ninth last season, while also overseeing a memorable 1-0 win away at Barcelona.

However, he will not continue in charge of the Andalusians next year, despite extending his contract until 2019 as recently as March.

"I appreciate everything the club has done for me, but my new club, Rubin, made a massive effort and showed great interest in counting on me for a future project, and presented an irresistible offer," Gracia said in a statement.  

Despite being linked with a move to the Premier League, Spanish sports daily Marca reported that Gracia would sign a four-year deal with Kazan worth £9m.