MOSCOW, November 6 (R-Sport) – Russia’s football team coach Fabio Capello has entered negotiations to extend his contract through the country's home 2018 World Cup, its sports minister said Wednesday.
Vitaly Mutko has previously claimed a new deal to tie the 67-year-old Italian to Russia for another four years beyond the 2014 World Cup is imminent. The two sides are now in talks, he says.
"We've met, I congratulated him on reaching the World Cup," Mutko told R-Sport. "Of course, we touched upon the theme of a new contract. We talked about what term it would have and when it might be signed," he added.
Since taking over from Dick Advocaat after Euro 2012, Capello has guided Russia to their first World Cup in 12 years, and the country is eager for him to stay through 2018, when it stages the competition. Both Capello and the Russian Football Union have voiced their desire to continue their cooperation.
The Italian signed a two-year contract last summer worth a reported five million euros a year. Capello’s record with Russia includes eight wins, four draws and two losses.
The Russian team travels to the United Arab Emirates for friendlies against Serbia and South Korea later this month.
