Moscow, Aug 7 (IANS): CSKA Moscow's coach Leonid Slutsky has been named the coach of the Russian national football team, a position he will combine with his current occupation at the Russian football club, according to the Russian Football Union (RFU) on Friday.

Slutsky, a double champion of the Russian league and the Russian Cup with CSKA and considered the most qualified coach in the country, will lead the team at least until after the European Championship, to be held in France next year, reports Efe.

"To be in charge of the national squad is a great honour and a serious responsibility. Of course, it's a difficult task but I'm pleased with the RFU's trust in me," Slutsky reacted to the appointment, as quoted on CSKA's official website on Friday.

The coach, who just qualified his team for the play-off round of the Champions League by winning against Sparta Prague, said he could not refuse the offer of RFU, "taking into account the difficult situation in which our national squad currently is".