Vardan Minasyan resigns from head coaching duties

90rope

The Armenian football federation says national team coach Vardan Minasyan has resigned after the most successful qualifying campaign for a major event in country's history.

The federation says Minasyan was offered a contract extension through qualifying for the 2016 European Championship, but the coach refused.

"It would have been a great honor for me to continue with Armenia," Minasyan said. "But I prefer another turn in my career. I have some offers, from abroad in particular, and want to discuss them."

Armenia finished fifth in its World Cup qualifying group but had been in contention for second place.

"If we were Italy or Germany, it would have been a disaster not to qualify, but it's different in our case," Minasyan said. "Our players have a big potential and I'm sure they will progress."

Minasysn took over the team in 2009 and helped it rise in the FIFA rankings up to 38th place.