Fabio Capello admits he cannot wait to get started on the 'splendid adventure' ahead with Russia after being named their head coach.
Russia are a great nation, says former England manager
Fabio Capello admits he cannot wait to get started on the 'splendid adventure' ahead with Russia after being named their head coach.
The former England boss is set to move to Moscow in the next few days following successful talks with the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Reports suggest the 66-year-old has been offered a six-year contract taking him up to the 2018 World Cup - a tournament Russia will host.
And the Italian is excited by this latest challenge.
"If everything is completed in the best possible way, as the announcement from the Russian Football Union states, I will be happy and proud," he told Italian news agency
ANSA.
"If, as I believe the case will be, all goes as planned in terms of the contract, it will be a splendid adventure.
"Russia are a great nation."
Disagreement
Capello has been jobless since leaving the England role in February after disagreeing with the decision of the Football Association to strip John Terry of the captaincy.
Terry was removed as England captain after he was charged with making a racist remark to Anton Ferdinand, although he was acquitted at Westminster magistrates court on Friday.
Although Capello failed to enhance his reputation with England, he was previously regarded as one of the best coaches in the world.
His record includes seven Serie A championships - although two of these were with Juventus and later revoked - as well as two Spanish titles with Real Madrid.
Capello also won the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan in 1994, memorably defeating Barcelona 4-0 in the final.
Finalise
The RFU had earlier confirmed that the veteran Italian is the man they believe can guide the team to World Cup qualification in 2014.
"Today we have decided to name Fabio Capello as the manager of Russia," RFU vice-president Nikita Simonyan told the
Itar-Tass agency on Monday.
"We are now waiting in Moscow for the finalisation of the remaining details of the contract before he signs.
"Once Capello and his representatives arrive, we believe they will sign the contract. I think it will happen on Wednesday or Thursday."
Capello will succeed Dick Advocaat as Russia coach. The Dutchman left the post to take charge at PSV Eindhoven following the team's shock group-stage exit at Euro 2012.
