Zico fills Gazzaev void at CSKA
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Article summary
PFC CSKA Moskva have appointed Zico, 55, on a three-year contract at the weekend, the Brazilian replacing Valeri Gazzaev who stepped down as the most-decorated coach in the Russian club's history in early December.
Article top media content
Article body
PFC CSKA Moskva have appointed Zico on a three-year deal, the Brazilian replacing Valeri Gazzaev who stepped down as the most-decorated coach in the club's history last month.
'Rich tradition'
"CSKA are a big European club with a rich tradition of winning," said the 55-year-old. "I'm a winner too and will do my best to continue Valeri Gazzaev's success." Zico left Fenerbahçe SK last June after two successful seasons which included winning the Turkish title in his first campaign and reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2007/08. In September he moved to Uzbekistan and promptly guided FC Bunedkor to a domestic double.
High point
Gazzaev left CSKA in early December, a day after his side beat AS Nancy-Lorraine in the UEFA Cup to become only the fifth team to finish the group stage with a maximum haul of 12 points. His high point in charge came in 2005 when the Army Men beat Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon to win the UEFA Cup – a feat Zico will be striving to emulate this term, starting with a Round of 32 tie against Aston Villa FC. CSKA will return to the UEFA Champions League group stage next September, having finished second in the 2008 Russian Premier-Liga. Meanwhile striker Dawid Janczyk, who made his senior Poland debut last month, has been loaned to Belgian club KSC Lokeren OV.
