Romantsev resigns at Saturn
Monday, February 16, 2004
Article summary
Oleg Romantsev has stepped down as coach of Russian Premier-Liga outfit FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.
Article body
Board meeting
The former Russia coach's resignation was accepted following a 90-minute board meeting, presided over by club chairman Valeri Aksakov. At the weekend, Romantsev did not travel with the team to their pre-season training camp, citing illness.
Poor start
Romantsev, 50, only took charge of Saturn last September, having left FC Spartak Moskva earlier in the summer. However, he was not an instant success, losing four of the remaining five games of last season. He then signed a permanent three-year contract in November, which came into force this January ahead of the 2004 season starting in March.
Plenty of experience
The coach had happier times at Spartak, where he won eight league championships and four Russian Cups. Romantsev was also coach of Russia at the 1996 UEFA European Championship and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.