Starkovs ready for new role

Aleksandrs Starkovs was officially presented as the new coach of Russian Premier-Liga club FC Spartak Moskva today.

Replaces Scala
The 49-year-old coach of the Latvia national team flew into Moscow after his country's 4-3 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over Luxembourg last night. His appointment as Spartak coach was confirmed on 30 August following the dismissal of former coach Nevio Scala but this was his first opportunity to discuss his new role.

Honoured
Starkovs, who will stay in charge of Latvia until the end of the year, said he was excited by the "great responsibility" of coaching Spartak. "This is a big European club and it's an honour and a great responsibility to work here. I am sure about myself but a bit nervous," he said.

Yet to meet players
Starkovs, who led Latvia to the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™, will not be in charge for tomorrow's league game against champions PFC CSKA Moskva. "I've just arrived in Moscow and have had no time to meet the team yet," Starkovs said. Vladimir Fedotov, the interim head coach, will deputise.

European qualification unlikely
Starkovs played down expectations by saying he did not expect Spartak to qualify for Europe this season. Spartak currently lie eighth in the league, 14 points behind leaders FC Zenit St. Peterburg after two-thirds of the season. "It is unlikely we will be in top three by the end of the season," he said. "But we need to win every game. I set no other tasks."