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Russian coach determines to step down after ousted from Euro 2016

Xinhua, June 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Russia' s coach Leonid Slutski seemed determined to step down after his side lost 3-0 to Wales here on Monday, which saw them packed home with just one point from three games of Group B.

"After this type of tournament like this, you need someone else to take charge of the national side," said the 45-year-old at a post-match press conference. "It' s kind of important for Russian football."

Slutski took over the 2008 semifinalists 10 months ago following the departure of Fabio Capello and led Russia to win all four of their remaining qualifiers.

The former CSKA Moscow coach, however, managed only one draw with pre-tournament group favorite England with two defeats to follow.

He appeared to shoulder responsibility for the Russian team' s performance on Monday night and disastrous campaign in the French tourney.

"I'd like to apologize to the Russian supporters. They didn' t deserve this level of play. So I would be more of willing to take full responsibility. It' s fully my mistake. I don' t want you to focus too much on individual players," said Slutski.

Earlier in the mixed zone, the coach had apologized to the fans and blamed himself for the poor performance from the Russian side.

"I apologized that we were poor today and we deserved to lose the game. We were bad in every area," he said.

"I think the team could play better," Slutski added. "I took the full responsibility 'cause I prepared the team for the tournament."

Asked what they would do after the Euro exit, Slutski said: " First of all, they should change the head coach."

Russia finished bottom of Group B while Chris Coleman' s Welsh side topped the group to push England down to the runners-up spot. Endit