Zernov lands MTZ-RIPO role

MTZ-RIPO Minsk have appointed Viktor Zernov as coach for their first season in the Belarussian Premier Division.

Akshaev leaves
The 59-year-old Russian had been working at FC Spartak Moskva's football academy having previously coached Iran, FC Dinamo Moskva, FC Chernomorets Krasnodarskiy Kray, FC Spartak Nalchik and FC Geolog Tumen. Zernov replaces Vyatcheslav Akshaev, who walked out along with several players because of the club's financial problems.

Funding found
However, those money worries are now easing. "It is hard to find a stable source of finance in Belarus," said MTZ-RIPO official Arkadi Shkliar. "But we have found some funding and all debts are to be dealt with in the near future."