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Russia confirm Fabio Capello deal

Fabio Capello has been named as the new manager of the Russian national team © PA Photos

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Fabio Capello has been named as the new manager of Russia and is likely to complete the formalities of his deal within days.

The former England manager held talks with the Russian Football Union (RFU) last week about succeeding Dick Advocaat.

Russian officials have confirmed they believe he is the right man to help the national team bounce back from the disappointment of exiting Euro 2012 at the group stage.

"Today we have decided to name Fabio Capello as the manager of Russia,'' RFU vice-president Nikita Simonyan told the Itar-Tass news agency.

"We are now waiting in Moscow for the finalisation of the remaining details of the contract before he signs. Once [Capello] and his representatives arrive, we believe they will sign the contract. I think it will happen on Wednesday or Thursday."

Capello told the Italian ANSA news agency: "If everything is completed in the best possible way, as the announcement from the Russian federation states, I will be happy and proud.

"If, as I believe the case will be, all goes as planned in terms of the contract, it will be a splendid adventure. Russia are a great nation."

On Thursday, Russian football officials confirmed that negotiations with the 66-year-old, who resigned as England manager in February, had taken place.

At the start of last week, the RFU announced that it would take the unusual step of revealing a shortlist of candidates. Harry Redknapp, Rafael Benitez, Pep Guardiola and Capello were among the names on the 13-man shortlist, released the following day.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had been linked with the position, but on last Monday the Premier League champions confirmed that he had agreed a new five-year deal at Eastlands.

Advocaat stepped down after Russia went out of Euro 2012 following a 1-0 defeat to Greece. He had already agreed to take up a role with PSV Eindhoven.

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