Smirnov's long reign ends

Vjatseslav Smirnov's 20-year spell as coach of Estonian first division side TVMK Tallinn has ended with the side resigned to finishing third in the league.

Ratnikov takes over
Smirnov, who was appointed in 1982 and won the 1993 Estonian Cup, will stay on in a senior coaching role, with club consultant Sergei Ratnikov taking charge of the team.

'Every team needs changes'
TVMK director Ants Juhvelt said: "Every team needs changes at some time. We cannot say we played badly this season, but to be honest third place was not the position we were aiming at after finishing runners-up last year. Vjatseslav Smirnov is a good coach and I am sure he will be very useful for our club in another position, but some new ideas were necessary for the first team. Ratnikov has been with us for 18 months and he needs a chance to prove himself as coach."

Playing career
Capped 14 times by Estonia, Ratnikov's playing career took in Kalev Pärnu, Kalakombinaat/MEK Pärnu, Sport Tallinn, Pärnu JK, FC Flora Tallinn, FC Maardu, as well as spells in Finland and Russia.

Coaching success
In 1998 he guided FC Tallinna Sadam to runners-up spot in Estonian Meistriliiga and next season coached FC Levadia Tallinn to the league and cup double. In 2000/01 he helped Levadia through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League - the first and so far only Estonian club to achieve this - but was sacked after the defeat in the hands of FC Shakhtar Donetsk. He has also been in charge of of JK Tervis Pärnu, Lelle SK, and JK Tulevik Viljandi.

Hard work ahead
Of his new job, Ratnikov said: "I have to work very hard in order to reach a higher level and also to get the club some good results in Europe. We need to find out why Estonian clubs are constantly failing in European cup competitions and try to change this pattern. It is too early to say what kind of changes I will make at the club. "