Spanish football professional Jordi Gratacós has been appointed Deputy Sports Director of the Russian Football Union (RFU). This information was confirmed by the federation’s official channels. The appointment signals a strategic emphasis on strengthening Russia’s youth development and national team operations through international expertise.
The newly named deputy will oversee selection processes and provide methodological support for Russia’s youth national teams. In his role as Deputy Sports Director, Gratacós will concentrate on advancing the methodological framework for national team activities and coordinating election-related tasks across the country’s regional associations. His work is expected to align youth development with long term performance goals and ensure a cohesive approach to coaching education and talent identification.
Gratacós entered coaching after ending his playing career in 2008. Since then he has contributed to football programs across several nations, including Spain, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. His career highlights include involvement with Girona and the Dnipro football structures, as well as leadership roles within the Kazakhstan Football Federation. In 2016 he led the Barcelona academy branch in Russia and subsequently headed the Moscow branch of the Inter Milan academy, where he helped develop local coaching talent and structured youth development pathways. These experiences are expected to inform his approach within the RFU, bringing a broad international perspective to Russias youth national teams and regional development initiatives.
Context surrounding Russia’s participation in international competition has been shaped by recent decisions from major governing bodies. FIFA and UEFA previously suspended Russian clubs and the national team from competitions under their purview. The RFU pursued legal action through the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an effort to secure participation in certain playoff events, but the efforts did not prevail. The federation has since announced its position and implications for ongoing national team activities, outlining a plan to adapt to the evolving international competitive landscape while continuing to develop the sport domestically. Gratacóss appointment is seen as a component of this broader strategy, aimed at maintaining progress in youth development and national team preparation during a period of significant transition for Russian football.