Alan Dzagoev, the former CSKA Moscow midfielder, confirmed his internship stint in the army club’s sports department and signaled an ongoing commitment to remain connected with the team. Reports from Sports Express captured his straightforward outlook, noting that his recent steps are aimed at making a meaningful contribution to the club beyond his playing days. Dzagoev spoke about the collaboration underway with Evgeny Shevelev and other colleagues from CSKA’s sports bloc, and he mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Roman Yuryevich to iron out the remaining details. He articulated a genuine desire to start work soon, expressing that the role would be both engaging and useful to the club in the long run, a sentiment echoed by observers who have followed his career closely. According to Sports Express this marks a thoughtful transition as he explores new responsibilities within the organization that helped shape him as a player for many years.
Dzagoev’s announcement of retirement from professional play arrived on November 21, 2023. He stated his intent to pursue coaching, marking a natural evolution after a long and storied career. His most recent club was Lamia in Greece, where he appeared in two league matches, accumulating a total of 14 minutes on the pitch. This move capped a playing journey that unfolded across multiple leagues and competitions, underscoring a transition from a prolific midfielder to a potential mentor on the sidelines. The decision to step away from active competition was presented publicly as a thoughtful pivot toward coaching, with Dzagoev emphasizing his readiness to guide younger talents and share the experiences he gained at top clubs. Reports from Sports Express highlighted the context of this shift and the anticipation around his future contributions in a coaching capacity.
Dzagoev’s long tenure with CSKA Moscow stretched from 2008 to 2022, a period during which he established himself as a central figure in the squad. He helped CSKA secure three league titles and additional trophies, including the Russian Cup and the Russian Super Cup on multiple occasions. Following his time with CSKA, he spent the 2022/23 season with Rubin Kazan before parting ways with the club in the summer of 2023. Across his club career, his consistent performances contributed to the club’s domestic success and added height to his reputation as a dependable midfielder capable of influencing matches through creativity and tactical intelligence. Contemporary summaries of his career note these achievements as essential chapters in a career that blended elite-level play with leadership qualities that teams value in coaching roles.
On the international stage, Dzagoev earned 59 caps for the Russian national team and found the back of the net nine times, a testament to his offensive instincts and his ability to contribute in crucial moments. His role for the national side highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and to adapt to different tactical setups, qualities that coaches often seek when shaping future mentoring or coaching staff. The combination of his international experience and his domestic success provided a robust foundation for his post-playing ambitions and prepared him to potentially influence younger generations through mentorship and structured coaching. These elements are frequently cited when evaluating his readiness for coaching engagements within clubs and national program structures.
A separate remark from a Russian coach suggested that Dzagoev’s potential transition into a mentorship role would not hinder his capability to become a valuable mentor in due course. This perspective aligns with broader expectations in football that players with extensive top-tier experience can transition to coaching or advisory roles without losing their influence or strategic insight. The evolving stance appears to reinforce a pathway where Dzagoev could contribute to development pipelines, youth academies, and senior squads, leveraging his rich playing background to guide teams toward sustained success. Such viewpoints contribute to the growing narrative around his post-playing impact and the ways clubs plan for continuity by integrating former stars into coaching and advisory structures, as noted by analysts and insiders familiar with CSKA’s approach to talent development and succession planning.