Stanislav Cherchesov has replaced Vladimir Fedotov as Spartak Moscow coach. Cherchesov, former goalkeeper and the team's sporting director, has signed a contract until 2008.

Fedotov's sacking was not altogether unexpected.

Without a win in 6 weeks, Spartak have fallen from first in the league to fourth. The final straw came last weekend, when they lost 2-0 to FC Moscow and missed the chance to return to the top.

Vladimir Fedotov had been in charge since early 2006 leading the club to runners-up spot in the Premier League last season and guided them into the Champions League, where they failed to get past the group stages.