Dutchman Dick Advocaat has been appointed as the new coach of the Russian national football team.
Dutch coach to lead Russian national side
Dutchman Dick Advocaat has been appointed as the new coach of the Russian national football team.
Advocaat, who unexpectedly quit as Belgium's coach last month, will replace compatriot Guus Hiddink in the role and is expected to join the side on a long-term deal.
"Advocaat will arrive in Moscow on Tuesday and will be presented to our executive board," said Russian FA (RFU) president Sergei Fursenko.
"His task would be to lead our team to the finals of both Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
"He's a real workaholic. He knows all our (top) players which is a big plus."
Experience
The 62-year-old has previous coaching experience in Russia, guiding Zenit St. Petersburg to a Russian league title and the Uefa Cup during a three-year spell at the club before he was fired last year.
The Dutchman had been linked with the national team role since Hiddink, who helped Russia to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 but failed to qualify for this year's World Cup, announced in February he would step down as manager when his contract expired in June.
When Advocaat retired as Belgium coach, he was quoted in the Dutch media as saying: "Russian soccer is of a higher level than Belgian soccer. It matches the level I am used to working at."
He has had previous spells as a national coach with his native Netherlands, as well as the UAE and South Korea, and has enjoyed successful stints at club level with PSV Eindhoven and Rangers.
