Leonid Kuchuk has applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching job, hours after parting ways with Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The Belarusian, 55, registered his interest in the job before Friday’s deadline and could be interviewed in the next few days if makes the three-man shortlist.

Kuchuk parted ways with Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday morning following a difficult start to life this season as the Railwaymen lie 9th on the table.

The former Kuban Krasnodar and Arsenal Kiev manager has turned his focus on the vacant coaching Black Stars job, seeking to replace dismissed Kwesi Appiah.

The experienced trainer joins a dozen of expatriate coaches who have applied for the job including favourite Milovan Rajevac.

Kuchuk has not coached in Africa before but has worked with a number of Ghanaian players including Abeiku Quansah and Dominic Adiyiah during his spell at Ukrainian side Arsenal Kiev.

The ex- Sheriff Tiraspol Sporting Director has won a number of individual awards in Europe having been voted Moldovan manager of the year in 2009, Ukrainian manager of the year in the 2011 season and manager of the year in Belarus in 2012.

He was won the Moldava Championship six times and has supervised over 40 matches in the European Cup competitions.

The Ghana FA will compile a shortlist after Friday’s deadline and start interviewing next week, with a possible appointment to be confirmed within 10 days.