Leonid Slutsky quits Hull after eight-game winless run

Former Russia coach, an observant Jew, wanted to be first Russian to manage British Premier League team, but leaves after less than six months

HULL, England — Former Russia coach Leonid Slutsky’s first managerial role in English soccer lasted less than six months.

Second-tier Hull said Sunday that Slutsky has left his position by mutual consent.

Hull is in 20th place in the 24-team League Championship and is on an eight-game winless run.

“Leonid has worked tirelessly in his role and has acted with complete honor and been a pleasure to work with,” said Hull vice-chairman Ehab Allam.

“Unfortunately, results have not improved as both parties would have hoped, and therefore it was agreed for the relationship to come to an end,” he said in a statement.

Slutsky took charge of Hull in June and was seeking to become the first Russian coach to manage in the Premier League.

It was the 46-year-old’s first job since December, when he ended a seven-year stint at CSKA Moscow, having won three Russian league titles. He also coached Russia at the 2016 European Championship.

Slutsky is an observant Jew, which caused a rift with some nationalist CSKA fans when he donned religious garb for a promotional film for a Jewish cultural center. He is known for his hangdog expression on the touchline and impatient attitude to TV interviews, but showed his lighter side by performing in live comedy shows in Russia.

Among those Slutsky counts as his friends is his fellow Russian Roman Abramovich. He told the BBC in June of his close relationship with the Chelsea owner, describing him as “my friend… (whose) project in Russian football is me.”