Dick Advocaat's decision to step down as Russia coach after Euro 2012 will not have a negative impact on the team during next month's tournament, the head of the Russian Football Union insisted Tuesday.
The Dutchman made the announcement in Russian daily Sport-Express on Monday.
"We respect the decision that was taken by him ... and we are sure that it won't have a negative influence on the performance of the Russian team at the European championship," the RFU website quoted Sergei Fursenko as saying.
Fursenko said Advocaat's contract stipulated he was "within his rights" to air his decision before Euro 2012.
"Dick used this right," he said.
Advocaat took over from fellow Dutch coach Guus Hiddink in May 2010 on a two-year deal with an option for a further two years.
He was the first appointment of Fursenko, who was elected to the post in February 2010.
“After the European championship I’ll go,” Advocaat told the newspaper. “I can’t tell you the reason yet but, knowing about all the speculation, I’ll say right now, it’s not about the money.”
Reports in the Russian media have claimed that Advocaat may be seeking a return to club coaching.
Advocaat won the Dutch title with PSV Eindhoven in 1996 before taking two Scottish titles with Rangers.
Before taking the Russia job, he was coach of Zenit St. Petersburg, where he won the 2007 Russian championship and beat Rangers to win the UEFA Cup in 2008.
At Euro 2012, Russia are in Group A with co-host Poland, Czech Republic and Greece.
