Laudrup close to Spartak deal

Michael Laudrup, who had been linked with the managerial vacancy at West Ham, is set to take over as coach of Spartak Moscow within the next 48 hours, according to the club's director of sport.

The former Denmark international was reportedly in Moscow over the weekend to hold talks with the Russian side, who have been looking for a new coach since the resignation of Stanislav Cherchesov last month.

Spartak director of sport, Valery Karpin, is confident they will get their man in the coming days.

"Everything went well (during our meeting)," Karpin told sport.ru.

"I think it will be sorted by Tuesday or Wednesday."

Karpin revealed there are just a few personal details to discuss with Laudrup, who is reportedly set to pen an 18-month deal with the Uefa Cup contenders.

"We've reached an agreement on almost every detail, and there is only a problem of a personal nature to sort out," Karpin added.

"He has asked us to find a school with English classes for their daughter. That is something we're looking into now."

The 44-year-old Laudrup has been out of work since quitting his coaching post with Spanish club Getafe at the end of last season.

He has previously enjoyed success in charge of Brondby, leading them to the league title in 2005, and was assistant coach of Denmark for two years.

Spartak sit third in the Russian Premier Liga, nine points behind leaders Rubin Kazan, and will face Banik Ostrava in their UEFA Cup opener this month having been knocked out of the Champions League by Dynamo Kiev in the third qualifying round.