Fabio Capello signs two-year contract with Russia

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Published time: July 26, 2012 11:04
Edited time: July 26, 2012 22:21

Italian football expert Fabio Capello attending a press conference at the RIA Novosti agency, where it was announced about his signing a two-year contract with the Russian Football Union on becoming the new chief coach of the Russian national football team (RIA Novosti / Anton Denisov)

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Anya Fedorova, Capello, Football, Kate Partridge, Neil Harvey, Prime Time Russia, Russia's football squad

Fabio Capello is officially the head coach of the Russian national team. On Thursday, the Italian and his agent settled all the formalities before putting a signature on a two-year contract with the Russian Football Union.

“I’m pleased to finally present Fabio Capello as the new team Russia head coach,” Russian Football Union’s acting president, Nikita Simonyan, told a news conference. “We signed a great professional. His credo is to win. He is going to spend most of his time in Russia. The deal is struck so we’ve already started the work.”

“It’s a great honor for me to be at the helm of the Russian national team,” the Italian said, adding that this is a team with “huge potential”.

The two-year agreement, with an option to prolong it for another couple of years, will reportedly bring the Italian around $12mln, which makes him the highest-paid football coach in the world.

The 66 year old will take charge in time for Russia's friendly against Ivory Coast next month, before World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Israel in September.

Capello is one of the most decorated coaches, after winning five Serie A titles with AC Milan and Roma as well as two Spanish crowns with Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan.

He worked as England manager from December 2008 to February 2012. With him at the helm England successfully qualified to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out in the playoffs, and the 2012 European Championship. On 8 February this year, he resigned after a dispute with the Football Association.

Wednesday’s deal puts an end to a month-long vacuum in Russian football. Former head coach Dick Advocaat left the team to join PSV Eindhoven after leading Arshavin and Co. to a Group stage blunder at the Euro 2012.

It was followed by the resignation of the football union’s president, Sergey Fursenko. The post still remains vacant.

Italian football coach Fabio Capello (right) attending a press conference at the RIA Novosti agency, where it was announced about his signing a two-year contract with the Russian Football Union on becoming the new chief coach of the Russian national football team (RIA Novosti / Anton Denisov)

(RIA Novosti / Anton Denisov)

Image from twitter.com @MKravchenko_RT

Comments (7)

BitterTruth 26.07.2012 19:06

After all the high drama and brouhaha with regards to Capello's tenure as Coach of the England team and the embarrassing meddling of the FA, his new job for Russia should a breath of fresh air for him allowing him to do what he does best, which can only mean one thing; the vast improvement of Russian football which will culminate in the defeat of the English team in the hands of the Russians led by Capello of course.

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Surgeon (unregistered) 26.07.2012 14:13

That's a joke! Ridicules are such a high salaries for these coaches. What are they? Magicians? What is so difficult in coaching 20 guys - which most of them have only basic few years grammar school education - running on grass chasing a plastic air filled ball. When you analyze it up close; 30 % of all scored goals are an result of pure luck anyway. People on these planet - indeed - are totally brain damage. At least most of them!

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steve (unregistered) 26.07.2012 12:49

im english but id like to see the Russian team do well, they were unlucky at the euros, could of won it with the quality they had. however Capel lo would not be my first choice; he didnt do england any favours although he made sure we qualified. although to be an england manager holds alot of stress and media rubbish that he wont have to deal with in russia(or at least not as much), so it may be a good choice only time will tell

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