Alexander Borodyuk, a former football player and coach who guided both the Russian and USSR national teams, reflected on how he perceived the breakup of the Soviet Union. The remarks were shared with Match TV as the source of the interview.
For Borodyuk, the collapse represented a profound tragedy. He recalls a time when the nation stood united, and suddenly that unity vanished. The upheaval left many people stranded financially, wiping out savings and changing the everyday fabric of life. He himself had built up a savings balance of 120 thousand rubles after seven seasons with Dynamo, a sum that would have under normal circumstances funded the purchase of several apartments. In the wake of the collapse, those dreams seemed to burn away in an instant, transforming long-term plans into distant memories.
At that moment, Borodyuk found himself working abroad as a player for a German club. He described how his savings were effectively depleted and how he sought permission from the club’s management to return home. The money remained tied to his name, and he was told to wait while the situation with the accounts was clarified. The episode underscored the chaotic economic conditions of the era, and Borodyuk noted that the process of reclaiming what belonged to him could not be resolved quickly. Looking back, he feels that returning to Russia came with a sense of lateness that haunted him for years.
Throughout his career, Borodyuk wore the colors of Dynamo Moscow, Schalke 04, Freiburg, Hannover, Lokomotiv, Torpedo, and Wings of the Soviets. His leadership extended beyond club duty as he took on roles such as assistant coach for the Russian national team and headed national squads in Kazakhstan, at Kairat, and in Austrian Horn, as well as Torpedo. His diverse experiences across leagues and nations shaped a perspective that balances the demands of high-level football with the realities of changing political and economic climates. His track record reflects a commitment to development, teamwork, and strategic thinking in the sport he loves deeply.
In discussing the broader implications of the era, Borodyuk weighs the question of whether UEFA’s interest in returning to Russia is justified. He emphasizes that any such decision hinges on a careful assessment of both sporting merit and the broader governance context. His viewpoint invites a measured conversation about the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany international competition, highlighting how history informs modern football decisions and the continued evolution of the game across borders.