Gazzaev goes despite title triumph

'We are grateful to him'
"Gazzaev has decided to take a break from football," said CSKA chairman Eugeni Giner. "We are grateful to him for what the club have achieved this and last season. CSKA have won the league for the first time in Russian history. This is a prestigious achievement, not too many clubs have done it in Russia."

Cup and league success
Gazzaev was in charge of CSKA for two seasons. In 2002, he won the Russian Cup and guided the team to second place in the Premier-Liga, losing a title play-off against FC Lokomotiv Moskva. This term, CSKA led the table from beginning to end, but their European campaign was hugely disappointing as they exited the UEFA Champions League in the second qualifying round against FK Vardar of F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Administrative offer
Gazzaev, who was on a three-year contract, is likely to be offered an administrative post at CSKA. However, he has also been linked with a return to former club FC Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz, whom he led to their first and only Russian championship in 1995.

Successor not known
The identity of Gazzaev's successor at CSKA remains a mystery, although former Portugal and SL Benfica coach Artur Jorge is reported by the Russian media to have been in Moscow this week negotiating with the club.

New coach criteria
"We are still looking for a coach," said Giner. "There's not much time left, but it's too early to name names. I can only say that the coach must be content with the squad already in place. However, we are looking to buy two players in pre-season, one left-sided midfield player and one striker."

Russia job
For a while Gazzaev was also coach of the Russian national team, a position he lost after a poor run of results in the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers.