Hull head coach Leonid Slutsky believes his appointment as the first Russian manager in English football could swell the club's overseas followers by millions.
Slutsky, 46, who aims to steer the Tigers straight back to the Premier League after replacing Marco Silva last month and is a good friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, enjoys a high profile in Russia.
He won three domestic titles in charge of CSKA Moscow and was head coach of Russia's national team during Euro 2016.
"English football is very popular in Russia,'' said Slutsky when formally introduced to the media on Wednesday.