Benstiti replaces Egorova at Rossiyanka helm
Monday, January 23, 2012
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Having parted company with Tatiana Egorova, FC Rossiyanka have announced Farid Benstiti as her successor, a role the 45-year-old will combine with his job as coach of Russia.
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Russia coach Farid Benstiti, who guided Olympique Lyonnais to the first UEFA Women's Champions League final in 2010, has agreed to take charge of FC Rossiyanka.
The 45-year-old succeeds the Russian side's former captain Tatiana Egorova who has been dismissed after almost two years in the post. Egorova, who was offered the chance to remain with the club in another capacity, replaced Andrei Mitin in February 2010, shortly after retiring from playing.
Benstiti won four French titles with Lyon as well as reaching the inaugural UEFA Women's Champions League final, which his team lost on penalties to 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in Madrid. He had also steered Lyon to the last four of the UEFA Women's Cup in the previous two campaigns.
Benstiti was initially employed by Rossiyanka last June, as technical director, two months before he was appointed to oversee Russia's bid to qualify for UEFA Women's EURO 2013. Benstiti will now combine the two coaching positions, with Russia second in qualifying Group 1, five points behind Italy but with a game in hand.
Rossiyanka, seven points clear of FC Energiya Voronezh in the Russian Women's Premier Division, play two-time winners Potsdam in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals in March.