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Zenit's Spalletti rewarded with new deal

Thursday, February 9, 2012

FC Zenit St Petersburg have rewarded boss Luciano Spalletti for taking them into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds for the first time with a new contract until 2015.

Luciano Spalletti has extended his contract as Zenit coach until summer 2015
Luciano Spalletti has extended his contract as Zenit coach until summer 2015 ©Getty Images

FC Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Russian title holders until summer 2015.

Spalletti had taken charge in December 2009 on a three-year deal, and the new terms reward his success at the helm. The 52-year-old Italian led Zenit to a Russian Premier League and Russian Cup double in his first season, 2010. This term he has guided them into the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history. Zenit are also flying high in the Premier-Liga, six points clear of second-placed PFC CSKA Moskva with their campaign set to resume on 3 March after the winter break.

The former Empoli FC, UC Sampdoria, AC Venezia, Udinese Calcio and AS Roma trainer will look to navigate a way past SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the first leg taking place on 15 February in Russia and the return in Portugal on 6 March.

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