Russia's sports minister Vitaly Mutko says he would prefer one of his compatriots to become coach of the national team should Leonid Slutsky choose to resign, but did not rule out a foreigner taking the post.
The Russia manager has yet to officially leave his post following the team's European Championship exit, but minister Mutko has said that women and foreign coaches will be considered in the search for a replacement if Slutsky does depart.
"Even a woman can become coach," Mutko told the TASS news agency. "A foreigner can become a coach if Slutsky quits, but I'd like a Russian citizen to hold this post."
Slutsky, who took over as Russia manager from Fabio Capello in August 2015, appeared to offer his resignation following Monday's 3-0 defeat to Wales -- a result which confirmed that the hosts of the next World Cup would finish bottom of Euro 2016's Group B.
"I would like to offer my apologies to the supporters for the football we showed," Slutsky said after his team's final group game. "The people who supported us watching television and today in the stands do not deserve a game of that level. That is why I am ready to take the blame upon myself.
"We had enough time for the preparation, to pick the line-up and to practice certain combinations. And if we didn't succeed in it, it means that the coach didn't cope with his task. I would ask to focus your attention not on individual players but on coaching shortfalls."