Gazzayev is transformed into hero
 |  Gazzayev (left) discusses CSKA's Euro triumph with president Putin |
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MOSCOW, Russia -- Winning the UEFA Cup has quickly transformed CSKA Moscow coach Valery Gazzayev from villain to hero at home.
Gazzayev has been the toast of the town since leading the army club to a 3-1 win over Portugal's Sporting in Lisbon a week ago, making CSKA the first Russian side to lift a European trophy.
Since returning home to Moscow, Gazzayev has been hailed a hero, a savior and even a saint by the overjoyed Russian media.
The win earned him praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin who lauded the coach for his leadership qualities, while politicians in his native Caucasus region are planning to name a street after him.
Life was not always so good for Gazzayev.
In September 1993, he quit as coach of Dynamo Moscow following a humiliating 6-0 home thrashing by Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt in a UEFA Cup first-round tie.
Three years later, under Gazzayev's guidance, Alania Vladikavkaz suffered a similar beating at the hands of Scotland's Rangers, going down 7-2 on aggregate in a Champions League qualifier.
Worst defeats
The two results still rank as the worst defeats by Russian clubs in European competition. If they seems like distant memories now, Gazzayev's critics quickly point to his more recent failures both as CSKA's and Russia's national team coach.
His tenure as Russia manager lasted less than 12 months before he stormed out of the players' dressing room after a lackluster 2-1 home defeat by Israel in a friendly in August 2003.
That outburst came only a week after Gazzayev was savaged by the same Russian media that now hail him as "the greatest", after CSKA lost to modest Macedonian side Vardar Skopje in a Champions League qualifier, despite spending millions of dollars on players.
"Gazzayev's coaching ideas burst like a soap bubble as (CSKA boss) Yevgeny Giner's millions of dollars were thrown away," said one headline in the local press.
Others read: "Russian football has been given a slap in the face" and "Gazzayev is persona non grata" as the media called for his head.
The coach survived but was sacked a few months later, despite leading CSKA to their first league title in more than a decade.
In November 2003, he was replaced by former Portugal manager Artur Jorge but was given another chance midway through the 2004 season when the Portuguese coach failed to inspire the team.
Second chance
Gazzayev took his second chance well, steering CSKA to a runners-up spot in Russia last year and making a credible showing in his and the club's first Champions League appearances.
The Russians finished third in their first-round group behind Chelsea and then European champions Porto, which allowed them to enter the UEFA Cup.
The rest is history.
The 50-year-old coach says success has not changed him.
"It's hard to change at my age," he said.
Gazzayev admits, however, that he learnt a great deal from his defeats and the criticism he received from the media.
"This (UEFA Cup) win means a lot to me," he told Reuters.
"I think I've proved my critics wrong, all those who doubted my ability to be a top coach," said the former Soviet striker.
"When you win almost all the honors at home you need a new challenge to keep you going. So this is definitely a new plateau in my career as a coach."
