The Strangest Manager Sacks in Russian Premier League History
Mikhail Galaktionov left his position as head coach of Lokomotiv Moscow following a 1-0 defeat against Rubin Kazan, a departure driven by a dispute over a 60 million ruble severance package rather than a mutual parting, sports.ru reported.
Lokomotiv head of the board of directors Yuri Nagornykh announced the coach’s departure standing behind television cameras while still wearing his winter puffer jacket. Three hours after that announcement, the club’s social media accounts had not confirmed the exit, instead posting a link to Galaktionov’s post-match press conference with the caption asking if anyone was sleeping while awaiting a change in the situation.
This episode joins a history of abrupt coaching changes across the Russian Premier League. Spartak Moscow dismissed Massimo Carrera following a championship-winning tenure amid a subsequent team crisis, publishing a photograph of the home stadium instead of the coach’s portrait in their departure statement. Nail Izmaylov, Spartak’s vice president, explained at the introduction of successor Oleg Kononov that technical problems prevented them from finding a successful photograph.
At his final press conference in October 2018, Carrera read a prepared speech thanking players, management, and supporters before stating that he loved even the people who turned out to be liars. Denis Glushakov did not attend Carrera’s farewell dinner.
Lokomotiv handled the May 2020 departure of Yuri Semin by issuing a statement that wished him strength, health, and well-being while immediately welcoming incoming coach Marko Nikolic. Semin stated in June that leadership removed him because he was not a compliant coach who interfered with their personal decisions.
Viktor Goncharov experienced multiple unusual dismissals. Kuban dismissed him in November 2014 citing a lack of strictness in communication with players, though general director Evgeny Muravyov later offered different reasons. In autumn 2015, Goncharov disappeared before Ural’s trip to Grozny without explanation. Ural announced two days after the first reports that he would miss the match for personal reasons, alongside starting goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov and defender Alexander Martynovich. Following a 3-3 draw, Ural announced the termination of his contract by mutual consent due to differing views on development.
Valery Karpin announced Unai Emery’s dismissal himself after Spartak suffered a 1-5 defeat against Dynamo Moscow, telling reporters that shareholders decided Emery would no longer coach the team. Following the final whistle, a Spartak player refused a flash interview by telling reporters to ask their “little coach.”
Olga Smorodskaya dismissed Yury Krasnozhan from Lokomotiv in June 2011 for shortcomings in his work, believing Krasnozhan intentionally selected the wrong lineup in a 1-2 loss against Anji.
Akhmat dismissed Andrei Talalaev during the halftime interval of a match against Pari NN after a heated discussion with club leadership, leaving the coach to depart the stadium before the second half.
Alexander Grigoryan resigned as Anji manager in summer 2017 after a 1-3 defeat against Dynamo, stating publicly that the coach must summon the courage to resign.
Khimki dismissed Igor Cherevchenko in autumn 2021 following a poor start to the season, appointed Igor Yushchenko temporarily, and then rehired Cherevchenko shortly afterward. Khimki dismissed Cherevchenko a second time two days before the season resumed, leaving Sergey Yuran to guide the team through the relegation playoffs.
Krylia Sovetov general director Vadim Andreev submitted his resignation in spring 2023 following a defeat against Pari NN to protest officiating issues, but the club declined to accept the resignation, allowing him to remain in his role.
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