KAZAN, Russia, September 5 (R-Sport) - Fabio Capello dismissed claims Thursday he will leave his post as manager of the Russian national side to coach Italy next year.
Capello has been linked with the job, which will become free next summer if incumbent Cesare Prandelli does not renew his contract.
“I’ve heard that in the newspapers they’re writing about my departure for the Italian national team,” Capello said. “If you like to place bets, then bet that I won’t be the coach of the Italian national team.”
Capello, a former Italy international with 32 caps, has never coached his home country in his 26 years as a manager. The 67-year-old was speaking at a news conference ahead of Russia’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg in Kazan on Friday, when the hosts must try to bounce back from a 1-0 loss away to Northern Ireland last month.
Capello was linked to Paris Saint-Germain throughout the summer and his son Pierfilippo, who acts as his agent, visited Paris and told Italian media he had met PSG executives, but denied holding contract talks.
Capello denied the PSG reports, saying he was happy in Russia, but has also recently complained about Moscow’s high cost of living.
The Italian signed for Russia last summer on what was then described as a two-year contract worth a reported five million euros a year. Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has since been quoted as saying the deal runs until the end of 2014 and that talks are under way on an extension until Russia hosts the 2018 World Cup.
