Former England coach Fabio Capello has “de facto” taken charge of the Russian national team despite not having signed a contract, the Russian Football Union said Thursday.
Capello was in Moscow for talks last week and is due to return Friday for further discussions and to watch the first round of games in the Russian Premier League this weekend, acting union president Nikita Simonyan told R-Sport earlier Thursday.
“A deal in principle has been achieved with the Italian specialist and he has become the de facto coach for the Russians,” the Russian Football Union said.
“In the very near future, Capello will fly to Moscow and start exercising the duties of the coach of the Russian national team.”
Various parts of the contract have not been agreed, however.
“As of the current day, an official agreement with Capello has not been signed. Representatives of both sides are discussing the final details of the contract, agreeing certain points.”
Simonyan told R-Sport earlier that Capello will not be officially unveiled as Russia coach before Tuesday.
He will watch CSKA Moscow’s match with FC Rostov on Saturday and reigning champions Zenit St. Petersburg’s game against Amkar Perm on Sunday, Simonyan said.
A source close to the talks, who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the negotiations, told R-Sport last week that Capello is likely to be offered a two-year deal.
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat led Russia for two years until Euro 2012 and left after the tournament to join PSV Eindhoven when his contract expired.
