THE RUSSIAN Football Union have approached Fabio Capello about leaving England after the World Cup in South Africa and taking up a lucrative position as coach of their national team.
The new head of Russia’s Football Union, Sergei Fursenko, flew to London to pursue Capello last week. He held informal talks with the England manager at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, meeting him during Chelsea’s 4-2 home defeat to Manchester City.
According to the Sovietsky Sportnewspaper, Fursenko is keen for Capello to replace Guus Hiddink, who is taking over as the national coach of Turkey.
The Dutchman’s contract with Russia expires this June – with Russia now determined to find a “big name” world-class coach to replace him.
Capello is one of between five and eight candidates under consideration, it is understood.
Capello responded politely to the Russian approach, the newspaper reported, but made it clear any negotiations would have to be carried out via his agent.
It also claimed Russia would be able to offer Capello more than his England salary. Although Capello is earning €6.6 million a year from the FA, the sum is taxed at 50 per cent – unlike in Russia where Hiddink receives €7 million a year tax free.
Although Capello spoke in conditional terms last week about his continued involvement with England after the World Cup, the English Football Association is certain he will stay on.
In recent weeks he has spoken warmly of his experience in England and his spokesman said of the link with Russia: “Fabio is under contract until 2012.”
Russian observers believe that Capello is growing frustrated with the media coverage of his players’ private lives, and that his reputation as a disciplinarian is just what the Russian squad needs following damaging allegations of indiscipline during their unhappy World Cup qualifying campaign.
The RFU has several other candidates on its list, among them the Italian national coach Marcello Lippi and Luciano Spalletti, the former Roma coach who is now manager of Zenit St Petersburg.
Hiddink’s last game as national team manager took place on Wednesday with Russia drawing 1-1 against Hungary.
Spain defender Sergio Ramos, meanwhile, admits the tag of World Cup favourites does not sit well with him and his team-mates, but appreciates expectations will only have grown following the midweek 2-0 win over France in Paris.
Ramos struck Spain’s second goal on the stroke of half-time as the European champions continued their stunning run of form with a deserved victory over the French in Paris.
That was Spain’s ninth successive win, and improved their overall record during the last few years to 42 victories – including two after extra-time – in 45 matches, with just one defeat. It was also Spain’s first victory in France since 1968.
That form, plus the fact they are number one in the Fifa world rankings, means many are tipping Vicente Del Bosque’s side for World Cup glory this summer.
Ramos said: “The players don’t like that they’ve given us the role of favourites, but we understand the optimism is going to increase with this victory.
“Spain’s main asset is that they go out from the first minute looking for the ball and for the win. We have a very clear idea about what we are doing and with morale high we are going to the World Cup to try and do as well as possible.”
David Villa’s opening goal in the win at Stade de France was the Valencia hitman’s 36th strike in just 55 appearances for Spain, and edged him ever closer to Raul’s national record of 44 goals, which took 102 appearances.
Guardian Service
