Zenit Petersburg will not release coach Luciano Spalletti to take up the soon-to-be vacant Russia job, the club said Monday.
The 53-year-old Italian in February signed an extension that keeps him at Zenit until 2015, but fueled speculation linking him with the job earlier this month by saying he "will be very pleased" to be considered.
Russia coach Dick Advocaat is stepping down from the post after Euro 2012 to take up a coaching job at PSV Eindhoven from July 1.
But Zenit warned the Russian Football Union off their man, who has led them to back-to-back titles and to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
"Zenit, of course, will be against the invitation of Spalletti to the national team," club president Alexander Dyukov was quoted as saying the club's site, adding he would not even consider a combined role for Spalletti.
"Zenit extended the contract with Luciano for three years and intends to spend all this period together."
Spalletti has also been heavily linked with a move back to Italy, with both Milan clubs reportedly interested.
Dyukov confirmed the club had fended off interest, but wouldn't say from where.
"By signing a new contract with Zenit, Luciano unambiguously answered all these offers," said Dyukov.
The former AS Roma coach joined Zenit in 2009.
Other coaches to be linked to the Russia job include youth team coach Nikolai Pisarev and former national team coach Valery Gazzaev.
