Lokomotiv Moscow coach Yuri Syomin has been appointed coach of the Russia’s national team.

“Yuri Syomin will be seconded to the national team and starting tomorrow will be acting as the main coach,” Russian Football Union (RFU) president Vitaly Mutko said on state television.

Syomin, who took Lokomotiv to the Russian title last year, replaces Georgy Yartsev who resigned earlier this month after new RFU president Mutko had admitted he was considering sacking him.

Russia are struggling in their World Cup qualifying campaign and currently lie third in European Group Three, three points behind Portugal and Slovakia.

Syomin spent 16 years with Lokomotiv, winning the title twice.