Russia include Harry Redknapp on wish-list to become national team manager

Former England boss Fabio Capello and Harry Redknapp have been included on a wish-list of candidates to become the new Russia manager.

The Russia Football Union (RFU) today released the ambitious 13-man list, that also includes former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, as they seek to to replace Dick Advocaat.

Advocaat announced before Russia's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign, when they failed to reach the knockout stage, that he would move to PSV Eindhoven for the new season.

The RFU have indicated they intend to replace the Dutchman will a star name, after having their apparent interest in Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini rebuffed earlier this week.

Mancini was linked with the vacant post but yesterday signed a five-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.

The RFU's list includes high-profile out-of-contract names such as Capello, who has been a free agent since leaving his England post earlier this year, as well as Redknapp, who left Tottenham last month despite steering them to fourth place in the Premier League last term.

Capello has previously also been linked with big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, whose former boss Yuri Krasnozhan was included among seven Russian names.

The RFU statement read: "The Russian Football Union has officially informed that the organisation plans to consult, in full compliance with the rules of FIFA and UEFA, the appointment of the head coach of Russian national team, with the following experts: Rafael Benitez, Anatoliy Byshovets, Marcelo Bielsa, Valery Gazzaev, Josep Guardiola, Fabio Capello, Andrei Kobelev, Yuri Krasnozhan, Marcello Lippi, Valery Nepomnyashchy, Nikolai Pisarev, Harry Redknapp, Yuri Semin."

Guardiola's inclusion comes despite the Spaniard having repeatedly stated he would take a year's sabbatical after opting not to renew his Barca deal.

Other major names of the list include former Champions League winner Rafael Benitez, out of work since leaving Inter Milan in December 2010, as well as Italy's World Cup-winning boss Marcello Lippi.

Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa is one of the few contracted managers in the list - along with Dynamo Kiev's Yuri Semin - after he announced his intention to resign last week following a bust up with the club's board.

Bielsa has since stated his desire to remain at San Mames, after helping them to the Europa League and Copa del Rey finals last year.

PA