Spalletti named as new Zenit coach

(GSM) – Luciano Spalletti is the new coach of Zenit St Petersburg. The Russian top flight club have confirmed the signing of the Italian manager on their official website.

The former AS Roma coach takes over head coach Anatoli Davydov who was temporarily in charge after Dick Advocaat was sacked in August following a number of poor results.

Spalletti, who has been linked with a move to Zenit since he left Roma earlier this season, will join the club on a three-year deal.

A statement on the club’s official website reads:

“Luciano Spaletti – Head coach of Zenit!

The Board meeting of FC Zenit has been held on the 10th of December. Club management presented its result of candidate’s search for head coach position, which was in process since May 2009.

Luciano Spaletti was unanimously approved as head coach. Contract shall be signed with three-year term. New head coach faces objective to return the domestic title, gain stable success in European competitions, establish firm connection with the youth department, ledaind to emergence of new local players in the main team.

Anatoly Davydov was proposed to remain in the Club structure.”