Starkovs returns to Latvia helm

Aleksandrs Starkovs has been hired as Latvia coach for a second time having led the Baltic nation to the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals in his first spell in charge between 2001 and 2004.

Long contract
The 51-year-old replaces Jurijs Andrejevs who resigned last week following the 1-0 UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying defeat in Liechtenstein. Having originally stepped down as national-team coach to take the helm at FC Spartak Moskva, Starkovs has quit as sporting director of Riga club Skonto FC to return to the post, signing a contract until summer 2012.

Skonto obligations
"I took time to consider this offer because I had obligations to Skonto," Starkovs told uefa.com. "Of course I wanted to work as coach because this is what I do best. Latvia are not going through the best of times, there are problems within the squad, but this is a new challenge for me and I accepted it." The coach's first task will be a Group F qualifier against Spain in Riga on 2 June, when Latvia will attempt to increase their tally of three points from four games.

National hero
"He needs no introduction," said Latvian Football Federation general secretary Janis Mežeckis. "Who can forget that he was behind the biggest success in our history, qualification for the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals? We have high hopes for Starkovs. It's hard to take charge in the middle of a qualifying campaign, but I hope the new coach can change things for the better."