Fabio Capello, Russia Part Company: Latest Details and Reaction
Fabio Capello's problem-stricken reign as Russia coach has concluded after he was sacked three years before the end of his contract.
"The Russian Football Union and the head coach of Russia's national team, Fabio Capello, have reached an agreement to terminate the employment contract by mutual agreement," read the RFU's website (via the Guardian).
Capello was expected to lead the nation into its hosting of the 2018 World Cup finals. As reported by Telegraph Sport, he won 17 of 33 matches in charge but leaves after a disappointing start to Russia's attempts to qualify for Euro 2016.
The nation sits third in Group G, four points behind second-place Sweden and eight behind leaders Austria, reported UEFA.com. Russia have accumulated two wins, two draws and two losses from six matches to remain in a difficult position. The side are currently ranked 28th in FIFA's World Rankings, not helped by a winless showing at last year's World Cup.
However, one of the biggest troubles throughout Capello's reign came from the RFU's inability to pay his contract. He went eight months without pay at one point, before Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov loaned the Russian organisation £3.9 million to square things up, per the Guardian.
Capello won't be short of cash, however. Telegraph Sport noted he earned approximately £20.4 million during his three-year tenure, and that he may land £10.5 million in compensation. His earnings could work out at £1.2 million for every victory with the team.
Artur Petrosyan of Sport-Express.ru suggested it could have been worse for the RFU:
The 69-year-old coach previously earned a £1.5 million pay-off after he resigned as England boss in 2012. Although a trophy-winning leader with club sides AC Milan, Real Madrid and Roma, Capello is yet to find anything other than frustration as an international manager.
Even so, he will have plenty of suitors if he wishes to take on a new role. A potentially dramatic storyline could form if he leads another national team into the 2018 World Cup on Russian territory.
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