Spalletti staying in Russia

In the past week, with Inter having a streak of bad results, Luciano Spalletti was being named as a candidate to replace current coach Claudio Ranieri at the end of the season.

But, Spalletti has put these rumours to rest after he extended his contract with Zenit.

The news was made official on Zenit's official website:

Zenit head coach Luciano Spalletti has signed a contract extension with the club. Under the new agreement Spalletti will continue working for Zenit through 2015.

Luciano Spalletti's new contract will be for an additional 3.5 years. Under the contract conditions, Spalletti's sphere of influence will now include both coaching the blue-white-sky blues and managing the club's transfer policy.

Spalletti was hired as Zenit head coach in December, 2009. Over his two years as head coach to date Zenit has won the Russian Premier League title, the Russian Cup, and the Russian Super Cup, and made it to the UEFA Champions League playoff stage for the first time in club history. Spalleti was named Russia's coach of the year in 2010 by the Russian Football Union.