Ex-Roma coach Spalletti named in charge of Zenit St Petersburg

Luciano Spalletti has been named new coach of Zenit St Petersburg.

Spalletti, who left Roma earlier this season after four years at the club, has agreed a three-year contract with Zenit.

A club statement read: "A board meeting of FC Zenit was held on December 10. The club's management presented its result of the search for a new head coach, which was in process since May 2009.

"And Luciano Spalletti was unanimously approved as head coach.

"The contract will be signed with a three-year term."

The Italian replaces Anatoli Davydov as coach although he will remain at the club. Zenit finished third in the Russian Premier League, nine points behind champions Rubin Kazan.

Fifty-year-old Spalletti was out of a job after leaving Roma back in September after a poor run of results.

Spalletti helped a stylish Giallorossi side finish second in Serie A in 2007 and 2008. They also won the Italian Cup in both those years.

The statement from Zenit continued: "The new head coach faces the objectives of regaining the domestic title, gaining regular success in European competitions and establishing firm connections with the youth department."