Moscow, Russia (My Sportsbook) - Georgi Yartsev resigned as Russia coach on Monday during his team's quest for a trip to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The 56-year-old took over the team in 2003 on an interim basis, but was then handed a two-year contract at the start of the 2004 year.

However, after a disappointing start in the World Cup qualifying tournament, which included a 7-1 loss to Portugal, it was rumored that newly-elected Russian Football Union chief Vitaly Mutko was going to find a new man to lead the team.

Through six matches, Russia is in third place behind Portugal and Slovakia in its Group 3 qualifying with 11 points.

Yartsev, whose successor in still unknown, is a former coach of Spartak Moskva and also played striker for the Soviet Union.