MOSCOW, August 30 (R-Sport) - Spartak Moscow owner Leonid Fedun has ruled out a swoop for Roberto Mancini in an exclusive interview with R-Sport.
Speculation has been rife that Fedun is looking to replace Valery Karpin as head coach after Thursday's humiliating 4-2 home loss to Swiss minnows St. Gallen sent the Russians crashing out of the Europa League.
"Roberto Mancini at Spartak? I've heard about this only through the media," Fedun told R-Sport. "If someone comes in to take over at Spartak, it won't be Mancini."
Mancini, 48, a former Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan coach, has been out of work since being fired by Manchester City in May.
Karpin has taken full responsibility for Thursday's result, which he called "a disgrace," and offered to resign from his post. He has managed Spartak on and off since 2009.
Fedun was coy on whether the 44-year-old would continue in the post, but suggested his days were numbered.
"Valery Geogevich was set the task of winning one title. That title has already gone. We'll see what happens," Fedun said.
Spartak face rock-bottom FC Tomsk in the league on Sunday looking for a win that would maintain their title challenge.
