Fabio Capello raring to go as Italian is appointed Russia manager

FABIO Capello admits he cannot wait to get started in his new role as Russia’s head coach.

The former England manager is set to complete the formalities of his move to Moscow in the next few days following successful talks with the Russian Football Union (RFU).

Reports have suggested 66-year-old Capello has been offered a six-year deal which will take him up to the 2018 World Cup – a tournament Russia are hosting. And the Italian is relishing his latest challenge.

“If everything is completed in the best possible way, as the announcement from the Russian Football Union states, I will be happy and proud,” he said.

“If, as I believe the case will be, all goes as planned in terms of the contract, it will be a splendid adventure. Russia are a great nation.”

Capello has been out of work since leaving the England job in February in protest at the Football Association stripping John Terry of the captaincy after he was charged with making a racist remark to Anton Ferdinand.

The RFU confirmed yesterday Capello is the man they believe can guide the team to World Cup qualification in 2014.

“Today we have decided to name Fabio Capello as the manager of Russia,” RFU vice-president Nikita Simonyan told the Itar-Tass agency. “We are now waiting in Moscow for the finalisation of the remaining details of the contract before he signs.

“Once Capello and his representatives arrive, we believe they will sign the contract.”