Zenit sack Advocaat
Reuters - Monday 10 August 2009, 15:48
ST PETERSBURG - Zenit St Petersburg have
sacked coach Dick Advocaat because of a run of poor form since
the Dutchman announced he was going to become Belgium's national
coach next year, the Russian Premier League club said on Monday.
"Unfortunately, after (Advocaat's) decision to lead
Belgium's national team, Zenit's results have noticeably
declined," Zenit said on their website
"Both fans and management are dissatisfied with the team's
place in the Russian championship."
The 2008 UEFA Cup winners are in danger of missing out on a
place in Europe next year after slumping to seventh following a
2-0 home defeat by lowly Tom Tomsk on Sunday.
Last week, Advocaat criticised the club's management over
player signings and Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said
the infighting had affected the team's performance.
"The current situation had a negative effect on the team,"
Mitrofanov told the club's website on Monday.
Former Netherlands and South Korea coach Advocaat took over
at Zenit in 2006, leading them to the Russian title in 2007 and
the UEFA Cup the following year.
Zenit said Anatoly Davydov, the club's youth team coach, has
been put in temporary charge of the first team.