Eduard Mor, a former Spartak player, criticized Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian national team, for a perceived lack of motivation to work with the national squad, according to RB Sports. Mor stated that while Karpin is a strong specialist within Russia, his focus should be on the national team alone. He argued that based on Karpin’s tenure with Rostov, the coach may not have enough strength, energy, or desire to lead the national team, and he questioned why the team should persist with a coach who seems worn out by the task. Mor urged that it is time for the national team to appoint a coach who will devote himself fully to the role and the team’s ambitions. He also warned that the current situation feels like a humiliation for the fans and that the national team risks being reduced to a burden rather than a source of pride. Mor stressed that the team should not be treated as if it can be taken for granted or dismissed without accountability, warning against eroding trust among supporters.
On the day before, the Russian national team played a friendly against Iran in Tehran, ending in a 1-1 draw on March 23. The game provided a snapshot of the national team’s form ahead of forthcoming fixtures and the ongoing discussions about leadership and strategy for the squad. In the forthcoming fixture, Karpin’s players from Saint Petersburg were scheduled to face Iraq on Sunday, March 26, with kickoff set at 18:00 Moscow time. The match represented another step in evaluating the team’s cohesion and tactical approach under Karpin’s guidance, as observers and fans alike look for signs of progress or concerns that may shape future decisions about leadership.
Historically, the spring 2022 decision by the International Football Federation and the European Football Associations to exclude the Russian national team and Russian clubs from all sanctioned competitions has left the nation’s football landscape in a period of disruption and transition. This backdrop continues to influence how coaches, players, and supporters perceive and respond to leadership choices and competitive opportunities. In a separate reflection on conditions in Tehran, Rostov’s former Russia striker Nikolai Komlichenko commented on living conditions during the match, highlighting the broader human and logistical realities that intersect with national team duties and international competition.