Advocaat signs four-year deal as Russia coach

Moscow: Dutchman Dick Advocaat was officially presented as Russia`s new national team coach after signing a four-year contract with the country`s FA on Tuesday.

The 62-year-old succeeds compatriot Guus Hiddink, who guided Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals but opted not to renew his contract after the team failed to qualify for this year`s World Cup finals following a two-legged playoff loss to Slovenia. "I am very pleased to see so many people here, people who were involved in selecting the national team coach," Advocaat told the executive board members of the Russian FA. "I can only say that after such good work by Mr Hiddink with the Russian team, our task would only be to strive for very lofty goals such as qualifying for the finals of Euro 2012."Bureau Report