Football coach Valery Gazzaev has left his job at the helm of Russian giants CSKA Moscow – and sparked a flurry of speculation over who might replace him. Brazil national team manager Dunga and ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard are among the big

The Army Men's coach made the announcement after his team won an exciting UEFA Cup match last night in Nancy, France beating Nancy-Lorraine 4-3.

It was the club's 4th win in a row and they have already secured a spot in the next round with a perfect unbeaten record.

Gazzaev had stated that he would be stepping down at the end of the 2008 season after a poor start in the season’s opening play.

However, after CSKA managed to secure 2nd place in the Russian league and play well in the UEFA cup, it was believed that he might negotiate a new deal to stay.

Gazzaev had been the manager for six years, leading the Army Men to Russian Premier League titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He also guided the club to the UEFA Cup title in the 2004-2005, making CSKA the first Russian team to win a European tournament since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Rijkaard and Dunga linked with job

According to reports in the Russian media, CSKA are planning an audacious swoop for the Brazilian national team coach Dunga as Gazzaev’s replacement. It would represent a massive coup if they pulled it off.

The boss of the five-time world champions will be familiar with the Russian club as he has frequently called up CSKA’s Brazilians – Wagner Love, Daniel Carvalho and Dudu – to play for his team.

Other reports also mentioned the name of Frank Rijkaard, who’s currently out of work. The Dutch coach has led Barcelona to victories in the Champions League and Spanish Primera Liga.

Any move for Rijkaard could be boosted by the successful work of his countrymen, Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat, with Russian teams.

One of Russia's most talented young coaches, Leonid Slutsky, has also been linked with the post. But he has said that he's planning to continue working with his current club, Krylia Sovietov.

What next for Gazzaev?

As for Valery Gazzaev, he's not planning to retire from football. No official announcement over his future has been made, but there is speculation he could join one of Ukraine’s ‘big two’ – Shakhtar.

The Donetsk team has suffered some poor results this season under Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu. They failed to qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and currently sit fifth in the domestic league.

CSKA claim silver in Russian Premier League
Most titled Russian coach to resign at end of season
Down and out CSKA 'still motivated': coach