Anzhi manager quits, sparking Fabio Capello speculation

Big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala have accepted the resignation of head coach Yuri Krasnozhan - paving the way for a possible approach for former England manager Fabio Capello.

Krasnozhan only joined Anzhi at the end of December after being sacked by Lokomotiv Moscow in June. He had been brought in as the replacement for Andrei Gordeyev, who had taken caretaker charge after the sacking of Gadzhi Gadzhiyev in September.

A statement on club website fc-anji.ru read: "FC Anzhi has accepted the resignation of head coach Yuri Krasnozhan.

"Today, the club held a working meeting at which it was decided to grant the request of the head coach.

"The parties decided not to dwell on the motives and reasons for separation."

With the Russian Premier League currently on a winter break running from November until March 2, Krasnozhan leaves without having taken charge of a competitive match.

Anzhi are bankrolled by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, whose wealth has already been splashed on the likes of Yuri Zhirkov, Samuel Eto'o and Roberto Carlos, and reports suggest Capello could now be in his sights after he quit as England boss last week.

The 65-year-old Italian has long been linked with the managerial post at Anzhi, who currently sit seventh in the Russian Premier League.

Capello has also been strongly linked with Inter Milan, but hinted last week that his next managerial role would likely be based outside Italy.

PA