Dick Advocaat will leave Russia after the European Championships this summer. The veteran Dutchman has chosen not to extend his contract, which runs out after the tournament, and is instead expected to return to club management with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. Meanwhile Russia under-23 boss Nikolai Pisarev has been touted as his successor.
Advocaat succeeded Guus Hiddink in May 2010 - after Russia failed to qualify for the World Cup - and went on to successfully guide them through qualification to Euro 2012. In qualifying they topped Group B with 23 points, winning seven and losing only one of their 10 matches. This summer they are firm favourites to progress out of Group A, having been handed a fairly kind draw with Poland, Czech Republic and Greece. Russia were impressive under Hiddink at Euro 2008, reaching the semi-finals, and they have been handed odds of 20/1 with Paddy Power to this time go all the way and win the tournament.
The vastly experienced Advocaat has won league titles with the likes of PSV, Zenit St Petersburg and Rangers and has also coached internationally with Holland, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Belgium. The 64-year-old previously managed PSV between 1995-1998 and guided them to the Eredivisie title in the 1996/97 season. According to reports he has a verbal agreement to return to the club after Euro 2012.
