Anzor Kavazashvili, a former goalkeeper of the USSR national team, has publicly weighed in on Khimki’s coaching situation. He told Match TV that he does not claim the authority to condemn Frank Artiga’s work at the club. In his view, such judgments belong to Khimki’s leadership, the people who run the squad and make strategic calls about coaching, training, and roster decisions. This stance reflects a veteran player’s respect for the administrative process, even as performance discussions intensify around the club’s season. As reported by Match TV.
He added that it is not his place to criticise the coach’s methods or results. The decision, he suggested, rests with Khimki’s board and management. His comments, reported by Match TV, emphasize the delicate balance clubs strike between public opinion and executive accountability in modern football.
On September 18, corporate backer Tufan Sadigov, a key sponsor for the Moscow region club, clarified that the team does not intend to part ways with the Spanish head coach Frank Artiga. The club’s leadership had not signaled any plan to change the coaching post, according to Sadigov.
Sadigov asserted that rumors of Artiga’s imminent departure were false. The coach has a current contract, and there has been no approach to Viktor Goncharenko, another widely discussed candidate, as Sadigov stated. The messages from the sponsor underscore the club’s commitment to its hired manager while evaluating performance on the pitch.
Previously, reports suggested that Artiga had been given two or three matches to improve the team’s fortunes in the Russian Premier League. Should results not improve, Khimki’s board could consider replacing the Spaniard with Viktor Goncharenko, who had indicated his willingness to take charge after reaching out to the club in August. This potential transition reflects the persistent tension in Russian football between short-term results and long-term planning.
In the eighth round, Khimki, based near Moscow, suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Akron from Togliatti. The match unfolded with Soltmurad Bakaev and Stefan Loncar putting Akron ahead as the halftime whistle approached. In the second period, Vladimir Khubulov extended the advantage, sealing a decisive victory for the visitors. The result further complicated Khimki’s season and intensified scrutiny on the coaching setup.
Alexander Sobolev later addressed questions about his decision to move to Zenit. The exchange clarified the reasons behind the transfer and the broader context of his career choices amid the shifting landscape of Russian football. The discussion touched on pursuit of playing time at a top club and the aspiration to compete at the highest levels within the league structure.