Zinetula Bilyaletdinov officially appointed Russia’s head coach

As expected, former Ak Bars head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov has signed a contract with the Russian Hockey Federation thus officially taking charge of the Russian national team.

According to Sovetsky Sport, the agreement has been signed until 2014, when the Sochi Olympic Games will take place. The 56-year-old coach was not be allowed combine his posts in the national team and the club was and had to leave Ak Bars.

Bilyaletdinov had been a memeber of the national team’s coaching staff at the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games and its head coach at the 2004 World Cup. He also won the Russian league four times as a head coach: thrice with Ak Bars (2006, 2009, 2010) and once with Dynamo Moscow (2000).

Speaking about his plans, Bilyaletdinov said he may include former NHL players in his staff: «These will be the men who were active as players both in our championship and in the NHL. I believe they are promising coaches. This will be a impetus that will help them work independently in the future. The names of my staff I will annouce later», Bilyaletdinov said to Sport-Express.