Russia place faith in Advocaat

Dick Advocaat will succeed Guus Hiddink as coach of Russia when his fellow Dutchman's contract expires on 15 July, the Russian Football Union (RFS) have announced.

The appointment ends a two-month wait for news following Hiddink's final match in the role, a 1-1 draw with Hungary on 3 March. Advocaat, formerly in charge of Russian Premier-Liga side FC Zenit St. Petersburg, resigned as Belgium coach on 15 April having only taken up the role in October after leaving Zenit. The 62-year-old was at the helm for four games, having combined the job with the head coach's position at Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

RFS president Sergei Fursenko, who worked with Advocaat at Zenit, said: "Advocaat's agreement with [the] RFS is for four years and comes into force as soon as Guus Hiddink's deal expires. Advocaat is workaholic, I know that from my own experience. He knows Russian football in and out, every player in detail. He doesn't need anything explaining; he can start work right away. Dick understands his task is to qualify for the coming European Championship and World Cup and to produce decent results there."

Like Hiddink, Advocaat has previously coached the Netherlands, Korea Republic and PSV Eindhoven, in addition to Rangers FC, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and the United Arab Emirates. He left Zenit in August 2009 after three years, during which time he led the club to its first Russian league title, in 2007, the 2008 UEFA Cup and the Russian and UEFA Super Cups.