Spartak Moskva turn to Yakin

Murat Yakin has been appointed as FC Spartak Moskva coach after leaving FC Basel 1893.

Yakin has signed a long-term deal at Spartak, who fired Valeri Karpin in March and have been under the caretaker control of Dmitri Gunko. The 39-year-old Yakin departed Basel last month after winning the second Swiss title of his two seasons in charge, which also included runs to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals in 2012/13 and quarters this time around.

Formerly coach of FC Concordia Basel, FC Thun and FC Luzern, Yakin represented Grasshopper Club, Basel – beating Spartak twice in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League – and Switzerland as a player. "I am very happy to take the reins of a team with big traditions," he said. "I saw Spartak's very professional approach during our negotiations. It's a big challenge for me. My objectives have not been set yet, but I believe that we should be at least among the top three in Russia."