Advocaat ready to continue at Zenit

Dick Advocaat has told uefa.com that he has agreed to coach FC Zenit St. Petersburg for the 2009 Russian season.

Yet to sign
Advocaat, whose current deal expires at the end of this year, revealed he had reached an agreement with Zenit president Aleksandr Dyukov in a meeting on Tuesday. "We gave our word to each other," Advocaat said. "But at the same time the contract is not signed yet so either party could change their mind." Dyukov's adviser on transfer matters, Konstantin Sarsaniya, who said the plan was for a one-year deal, added: "I think the contract might be signed next week."

Success
The 61-year-old Dutchman took over at Zenit in 2006 and led them to victory in the 2007 Russian Premier-Liga and the 2008 UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, all maiden triumphs for the club. Advocaat's side have found things more difficult recently, lying bottom of UEFA Champions League Group H after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with FC BATE Borisov and fifth in Russia with six fixtures left, and he had previously hinted at a desire to return to the Netherlands.

Confident
But he now seems set to stay and Advocaat said: "The most important thing for me is having the confidence that we will be able to fight for trophies next year." He also indicated that confidence would not be affected even if the club's prized playmaker Andrei Arshavn or any other players were to leave. "If it happens we will have money to buy others," stated Advocaat, whose team visit BATE on 5 November.