Krasnozhan fills vacant Anzhi position

Yuri Krasnozhan has been installed as coach of Russian Premier League club FC Anzhi Makhachkala on a five-year deal.

The former PFC Spartak Nalchik, FC Lokomotiv Moskva and current Russia B team boss has filled a position which had been vacant since Gadzhi Gadzhiev was sacked on 29 September. Under Gadzhiev's assistant, Andrei Gordeev, Anzhi finished the year in seventh place, 13 points adrift of leaders FC Zenit St Petersburg going into the winter break.

Krasnozhan, 48, established Spartak Nalchik as a firm fixture in the top flight during a six-year tenure, which ended in 2010. He then had a short spell at Lokomotiv − by whom he was dismissed in June − before taking control of Russia B, a post he will continue in for the next six months.

"We are confident we have made the right choice," said Anzhi vice-president German Chistyakov. "Krasnozhan has proved his high level of professionalism at all of the clubs he has worked at. He is a true fan of football, a real professional who gives his all to the job he loves. We hope his experience and knowledge will help our team progress further."

Krasnozhan will meet his players for the first time on 8 January in Moscow before the squad travel to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp. He said: "I want to thank the board for the great trust they've put in me. Anzhi are very popular now. People follow this team not only in Russia but across the world."