adminMOSCOW. — Ambitious Russian side Zenit St Petersburg yesterday named ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager, in a big name appointment as the club seeks to break through into the top ranks of European football. The club said in a statement that the 36-year-old Portuguese handler, who first made his name with Porto, will officially sign on for Zenit on March 20, taking over from Italian Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked last week.
He will start as coach just a day after Zenit play at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16, with the Russians needing to overturn a 2-4 first leg deficit. Caretaker manager Sergei Semak will be in charge for that game.
“Zenit has agreed terms on a contract with new head coach Andre Villas-Boas. The contract will be signed and Mr Villas-Boas will be presented in St Petersburg as Zenit’s new head coach on March 20,” Zenit said in a statement.
Zenit’s owners, the Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom, will be looking beyond this season in signing Villas-Boas as they seek glory on the European stage.
Spalletti achieved domestic success with Zenit, leading the Saint Petersburg side to two Russian league titles, and delivering a first Russian Cup win in 11 years soon after his appointment.
But Gazprom lost patience with Spalletti’s failure to make a breakthrough in the Champions League after several big money signings. —AFP.
Online Reporter