17 Jul 2012

Former Italian coach of England picked to rebuild Russia

6:24 am on 17 July 2012

The former England football manager Fabio Capello has been appointed as coach of Russia's national team on a reported two-year deal.

The 66-year-old Italian, who quit as England boss in February, will become Russia's third foreign coach in a row.

Capello will succeed Dutchman Dick Advocaat, whose contract expired after Russia failed to advance past the group phase at the recent European championships in Poland and Ukraine, sparking widespread criticism at home.

The Russians had been hoping to reach at least the quarter-finals at Euro 2012 following their surprise run to the 2008 semi-finals under Advocaat's compatriot Guus Hiddink.

Upon returning home, the players faced heavy criticism from high-ranked politicians, media as well as ordinary fans.

Capello had success coaching top clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, AS Roma and Juventus.

He will be tasked with blooding new players into an ageing team, something his predecessor Advocaat failed to do in his two years at the helm.

Russian media reported the Italian is set to sign a two-year contract, with the possibility of extending it for another two years, with an annual salary of 10 million euros.