Valery Gazzaev, a former coach of the Russian national team and the club CSKA, weighed in on Valery Karpin’s remark about stepping away from national duty. In his latest interview, Gazzaev indicated that Karpin might consider leaving the national team as an option, framing it as a personal decision rather than a public confrontation with the sport.
“If someone makes that choice, then let it be so. Who is really occupying that position at the moment?” Karpin remarked in response to questions about his possible absence. Gazzaev later clarified that Karpin’s comments about a potential absence are expressions of feeling rather than a formal declaration. He suggested that a journalist’s question might have been poorly received, and that interpretations could be driven by sensational headlines rather than by the coach’s actual plans.
Gazzaev emphasized that the federation now has a window of opportunity to bring in a pool of younger players. He noted that this period under quarantine presents a chance to evaluate rising talent and test candidates for the national team. He added that those who push provocative questions might not fully grasp football dynamics, and that the public responses should be understood in the context of ongoing team-building and preparation. In his view, the response to tough questions should be measured and aligned with the broader goal of sustaining progress for the national squad .
Turning to the more recent schedule, it was announced that in July 2021 Karpin was appointed head coach of Rostov and subsequently took on leadership of the Russian national team. Initially, the plan was to balance duties between the national side and Rostov. However, in early August, Karpin declared his decision to devote his efforts fully to the national team, after which he stepped away from Rostov. Later developments saw him again juggling responsibilities between the national team and Rostov as circumstances required, illustrating the complex demands of dual roles at the managerial level .
On the match front, the Russian national team was slated to play a friendly against Iran in Tehran, with kickoff set for 20:00 Moscow time. This fixture signifies a real test for the squad as it continues to shape its tactical approach and personnel selections ahead of more competitive matches. The lead-up to the game has involved careful assessment of player form, fitness, and compatibility with the coach’s system, aspects that are always central to international football planning .
In another development, Alexander Chugunov weighed in with his own expectations, stating that he did not anticipate strong results from the Russian team in forthcoming matches. His remarks reflect a cautious, perhaps realistic, prognosis in a period of transition and experimentation for the national program. Such opinions often contribute to the broader media conversation surrounding national team prospects and the balance between experimentation and stability.