Zenit have thanked Luciano Spalletti for his role in the
recent development of the Russian club despite sacking him on Monday.
Spalletti was fired in the wake of a goalless Russian
Premier League home draw against strugglers Tom Tomsk.
Zenit have won just one of their last six league matches
and have dropped to second in the table, two points behind Lokomotiv Moscow and
face elimination from the UEFA Champions League after a 4-2 last-16 first-leg
defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Petrovsky Stadium.
"We wish to thank Luciano Spalletti for all that
he's done for the development of St. Petersburg football," a club
statement read. "We will always be happy to see him in St. Petersburg!
Grazie, Mister!
Spalletti joined Zenit in December 2009 and won two Russian
Premier League titles at the club, adding success in the Russian Cup and
Russian Super Cup.
Two key figures have left Zenit over the last year, with
Russia captain Roman Shirokov and ex-Russia skipper Igor Denisov both departing
after reported clashes with Spalletti.
The 55-year-old Italian, who has previously managed Roma
and Udinese, will be replaced by former player Sergei Semak.
Semak, 38, was a player under Spalletti for both the 2010
and 2011 title-winning seasons.
Culled from Soccerway
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