Starkovs grateful for Latvian extension
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
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Bakı FK coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has gratefully accepted a new deal that will extend his second spell in charge of the Latvian national team by a further two years until the end of 2013.
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The Latvian Football Association (LFF) and Bakı FK have agreed a new deal that will enable Aleksandrs Starkovs to coach Latvia for two more years.
The 56-year-old's LFF contract expired at the end of 2011 but both parties have agreed that Starkovs can remain in charge of Latvia until 2013 while continuing his work at Bakı. "We are happy," said LFF general secretary Jānis Mežeckis. "Starkovs is the only Latvian coach who can guide our national team to success."
"I am delighted to continue my work for the national side and would like to express my thanks to both Bakı FK and the LFF," said Starkovs. "I will use all my strength and experience to produce good results in the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign."
The former Skonto FC boss first took charge of Latvia in 2001, making history by guiding them to UEFA EURO 2004. After leaving to coach FC Spartak Moskva, Starkovs took charge of Latvia agan in 2007, combining the position with a second spell in charge of Skonto, where he won the 2010 title. He joined Bakı 12 months ago.
Latvia finished fourth in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F and have been drawn alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Slovakia in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group G.
