Amateur footballer Sergei Kutuzov, named player of the year in media football in 2022, revealed that Dmitry Kuznetsov was not on his radar before joining 2Drots as the team’s head coach.
“To be honest, I didn’t know him as a footballer before I joined 2Drots. It feels like a long time ago, and I wasn’t even born yet in those days. But once I heard who our coach would be, I looked into his career. He had played at a very high level in Europe. It was a pleasant surprise to have him guiding us. He played for strong teams and alongside skilled teammates. Training under his leadership was inspiring, and he brought some drills from his playing years abroad, many of them influenced by Spanish football. Above all, Dmitry Viktorovich treated me well as a person, and we communicated effectively. Leaving 2Drots was hard because he challenged me, and there was a moment of tension. Yet we managed to move past it. I told him he was a good person. Soccer is soccer, but I hoped for more chances to talk and grow together. We shook hands and he understood my perspective. If he aims to advance professionally, the Medialiga could serve as a strong catalyst for him,” Kutuzov shared in a lengthy interview with socialbites.ca.
Dmitry Kuznetsov, now 57, earned the USSR Cup with CSKA and later claimed the final championship of the Soviet era. His career then took him to Spain, where he spent five seasons with Espanyol, Lleida, Alaves, and Osasuna. He eventually returned to CSKA and finished his playing days in his homeland. Today Kuznetsov is the head coach of 2Drots and was recognized as the best coach in media football for 2022.
Kutuzov reflected on their most memorable moments and what stands out in amateur football today, offering insights into the sport’s evolving landscape and the importance of mentorship in a player’s growth path.