July 9 -Russia have parted company with head coach Stanislav Cherchesov after the team’s disappointing first-round exit from Euro 2020.
In the build-up to the continental finals, the FA set Cherchesov a target of reaching the knockout phase, but his team fell well short, finishing bottom of Group B. Russia enjoyed home advantage during the tournament, but managed just a single win – against Finland.
However, in their opening game, they were dispatched all too easily by Belgium and in the final group game, when Russia required only a draw, Denmark stormed past the Russians to win 4-1 at Parken.
“Together with Stanislav Salamovich (Cherchesov) we took the decision to end his contract,” said Russian FA president Alexander Dyukov in a statement. “The Russian football federation will begin the search for candidates for the post of head coach to prepare the team for qualifying games for the World Cup in 2022.”
“The RFU shares our position regarding the unsatisfactory results of the Russian national football team,” said Russian deputy PM Dmitry Chernyshenko. “A decision to sever the contract with the head coach is absolutely justified and logical.”
Cherchesov succeeded Leonid Slutsky in 2016 and he led Russia to the quarter-finals of the World Cup on home soil, after remarkable victories against Saudi Arabia in the opening match and Spain in the round of sixteen. But the fairy-tale came to an end in the last eight against eventual finalists Croatia.
Since that elimination, Cherchesov failed to inspire his team with a string of disappointing results in the Nations League. He is the second coach to go after Euro 2020. Frank De Boer left the Oranje role after the Netherlands’ second round defeat against the Czech Republic.
In September, Russia will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign at home against Croatia.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1730539677labto1730539677ofdlr1730539677owedi1730539677sni@i1730539677tnuk.1730539677ardni1730539677mas1730539677