The Russian Football Union appointed Fabio Capello as the new manager of the national team succeeding outgoing Dutchman Dick Advocat.
"Today we decided to appoint Capello as our national teamâ??s new manager," the RFU deputy president Nikita Simonyan told the press.
"We expect him to come to Moscow in the nearest future to finalize the details of his contract and sign it."
Russia's shock failure to qualify out of arguably the event's weakest group despite being packed with highly rated players such as Andrei Arshavin and Alan Dzagoev left the team a tough challenge to make the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Capello has managed AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid during his managerial career, winning domestic titles with each, before becoming England manager in 2007.
Under Capello, England qualified for Euro 2012 before the Italian resigned after falling out with Football Association chiefs after he stood by John Terry as skipper despite the Chelsea man being embroiled in a racism trial which ultimately saw the defender acquitted.
The RFU last week announced a star-studded 13-man list of candidates for the post of manager that won ridicule at home and abroad.
The hugely ambitious hit-list included ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, Italian veteran Marcello Lippi and Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa.
The list also contained the names of seven Russian coaches but also Capello, who in the end appeared to be the only serious candidate. Why the RFU felt the need to publish its wish-list has never been explained. Last Thursday Capello came to Moscow to hold talks with RFU and his arrival caused an immediate sensation in the Russian media.
However the Italian traveled to Moscow in a hurry and was reportedly forced to stay in the airport on arrival, waiting for several hours while the RFU officials finalized formalities to grant Capello a Russian entry visa.
After meeting, Russian football officials expressed confidence that they could agree terms with one of the biggest coaching names in the sport.
"Capello is ready to work conscientiously and live here in Russia," Simonyan was quoted as saying by the local media. "He did not make any extraordinary demands."
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