Russia’s search for a new manager has descended into chaos – with Roberto Mancini just one of several high-profile candidates to replace Dick Advocaat.
A power struggle at the top of the Russian FA (RFS) has left officials fighting to have their preferred target installed as the new boss.
The body have responded with the bizarre promise to publish a list of candidates on their official website on Tuesday which, if everyone gets their way, will read like a who’s who of world football managers.
Spartak Moscow’s oil tycoon owner Leonid Fedun openly admits he wants Pep Guardiola to take over and has pledged to pay his wages, while others have pushed for Manchester City boss Mancini, Germany manager Joachim Low, Fabio Capello and Italy boss Cesare Prandelli.
RFS commercial adviser Pyotr Makarenko said on Sunday that “nobody now at the organisation” had negotiated with candidates. However, the “now” part of that statement could be crucial.
Interest in Mancini would be helpful in his own negotiations with City, while Makarenko added to the confusion by saying he thought the Italian had a current salary of £10.5million and “would not want to take a pay cut”.
Capello has been sounded out by intermediaries and has expressed an interest in opening formal talks. He could arrive in Moscow on Wednesday, yet other figures in Russian football want the position filled before the RFS even publish their list.
The job has obvious attractions. Advocaat was the highest-paid coach at Euro 2012, on £5.5m a year – twice what Prandelli earns at present. – Daily Mail