But this is just what neither Mr Putin nor Mr Medvedev can deliver, as their job swap demonstrates.

ECONOMIST: Russia��s presidency

In a straight job swap, the European arm's chairman and chief executive Laurent Lacassagne will take on Mr Porta's current role.

BBC: Christian Porta

Yet unlike the small number of high-minded citizens who protested, neither Mr Putin nor his bureaucrats saw anything shameful in the revelation that the job swap was pre-planned.

ECONOMIST: Russia��s presidency

But in May 2008, six months after arriving at St Andrew's, it seemed his decision to swap the blue of the Scottish national job for that of England's second city may have been misjudged.

BBC: Alex McLeish earns shot at Wembley glory