Former Russian and CSKA head coach Valery Gazzaev has agreed to become the new Ukrainian national team head coach next year, a source in Ukraine’s football federation says.

Current Ukraine head coach Alexey Mikhailichenko will stay at his post until the end of the World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign.

Ukraine is now third in their group with seven points after four games, eight points behind leaders England and three behind Croatia, leaving little chance of getting to South Africa next year.

One of the most distinguished Russian specialists, Gazzaev left CSKA in 2008. With Gazzaev at the helm, the Armymen won the UEFA Cup as well as three domestic crowns.

Since his departure from the Moscow side, some sources linked him with moves to Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk as well as the South African national team. The rumours, however, never turned out to be true.