Minasyan takes over as Armenia coach

Pyunik Yerevan manager Vardan Minasyan has been appointed as coach of the Armenian national team, the country’s football federation press service announced Friday.

The 36-year-old Minasyan, who had been assistant to Jan Povlsen of Denmark, has been given a contract through until the end of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Minasyan won the Armenian national title eight times as a player and was also a skipper of the national side.

“We were drawn into a very strong qualifying group, where Russia are clear favourites,” Minasyan said.

“Slovakia and Ireland are also very strong opponents but we will do our best to provide them all with a tough opposition. I hope we can finish in fourth place in our group.”

Macedonia and Andorra were also drawn in the qualifying group with Armenia.