Petrzela extends Zenit deal
Friday, September 10, 2004
Article summary
Coach Vlastimil Petrzela has extended his contract with Russian league leaders FC Zenit St. Peterburg.
Article body
Vlastimil Petrzela has extended his contract with FC Zenit St. Peterburg, committing to the Russian club until 2007.
Huge improvement
The Czech coach has overseen a remarkable turnaround since taking the helm two years ago. After guiding Zenit to tenth in 2002, they finished as Premier-Liga runners-up last year but Petrzela ended the season with his first silverware at the club, when they triumphed in the Russian League Cup.
Continuity
Zenit, who play FK Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Cup first round on 16 September, are currently top of the league 21 games into the season. "We have a brilliant group of players with real fighting spirit," Zenit general director Ilya Cherkasov said. "It's vital for us to keep that."