Inter target Spalletti to stay put in Russia
Reuters - Tuesday 21 December 2010, 17:36
MOSCOW - Luciano Spalletti will remain as
coach of Zenit St Petersburg at least for another season, the
Russian Premier League club said on Tuesday.
"Spalletti himself had told us that he would stay at Zenit
at least for another season," Zenit general director Maxim
Mitrofanov told reporters.
"I think that is more than enough for us to trust him.
Spalletti is unique. It would be simply impossible for him to
deceive or lie to us about his future plans."
Italian media reported on Monday that Spalletti was
favourite to replace Rafael Benitez as coach of world club,
European and Italian champions Inter Milan.
Spalletti, 51, this year led Zenit to a domestic league and
cup double in his first season in St Petersburg.
The big-spending club, backed by Russian energy giant
Gazprom, has decided to spend some $100 million to reinforce the
team next year, local media reported.
The next Russian season switches from its traditional
March-November format to a calendar more in line with the rest
of Europe, starting in March 2011 and concluding at the end of
May 2012.