Russia call for Gazzaev

Valeri Gazzaev, the coach of PFC CSKA Moscow and Russia's Under-21 team, was handed the reins of the Russian national side today following a meeting of the Russian Football Union (RFS) Executive Commitee.

Romantsev resignation
Previous coach Oleg Romantsev's resignation was accepted following Russia's unsatisfactory performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals where they lost to Japan and Belgium as they were eliminated in the group stages.

'Wanted to thank him'
Romantsev himself failed to turn up for today's meeting. "We were intending to thank Romatsev," RFS president Vyacheslav Koloskov said. "I understand his human reasons [for not turning up], but I wanted to repeat what I said in Japan after we lost to the Belgians. We wanted to thank him for making it to Korea/Japan."

Championship success
Koloskov also announced that Gazzaev will be in charge of both CSKA and Russia until 1 December, when he will step down as coach of the Russian Premier-Liga club. Gazzaev confirmed that he will name his assistants at the end of July.

Alania triumph
"I don't think it is a serious problem," Gazzaev responded, when asked whether he thought it would be difficult for him to coach both CSKA and Russia until the end of the Premier-Liga season. Gazzaev is famous in Russia for being the only coach to have beaten Romantsev's FC Spartak Moscow to the title when, in 1995, he led provincial side FC Alania Vladikavkaz to the championship.

European record
Gazzaev, however, cannot boast of any significant success on the wider European stage. His Russian U21 side came close to qualifying for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship but threw away a 3-1 lead in their final qualifying game against Switzerland - a 3-3 draw scuppering their chances.

Playing career
The 48-year-old Gazzaev played for Spartak Orjonikidze, SKA Rostov-Na-Donu, FC Lokomotiv Moscow, FC Dinamo Moscow and FC Dinamo Tbilisi in a successful career as a forward. He won the USSR Cup with Dinamo in 1984 and was a regular for the Soviet Union U21 and Olympic sides. He also appeared eight times for the Soviet national team, scoring four goals.

Coaching honours
Gazzaev began his eventful coaching career with Dinamo, before spells with Alania and CSKA. He won the Russian Cup with CSKA several months ago and led Alania to the title in 1995 and second spot in 1996. His first task as Russia coach will be to try and lead the side to the finals of EURO 2004™. They have been drawn in qualifying Group 10 alongside Albania, Georgia, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.