Specialist Dmitry Khokhlov was dismissed from his post as head coach of Sochi after a short stint. Reports indicate that the dismissal came amid ongoing betting concerns within the club’s operations. Khokhlov took charge of Sochi on April 10, 2023, steering the team for a limited period before the change in leadership. During his tenure, Sochi contested 19 matches across all competitions, recording five victories, a single draw, and thirteen defeats. The results reflected a challenging spell for the club under his guidance as they navigated a competitive season.
In the Russian Premier League, Sochi suffered a setback against Spartak Moscow in the eighth round. The game, hosted at Moscow’s Otkritie Bank Arena, ended with Spartak securing a 1–0 win. The lone goal arrived from red-and-white defender Srdjan Babic in second-half stoppage time (90+2). With this result, Sochi sat twelfth in the RPL standings, accumulating seven points from their opening fixtures.
Khokhlov, aged 47, has a coaching history that includes positions at Rotor Volgograd, Dinamo Moscow, and his alma mater Kuban. His early football education was shaped at CSKA’s youth system. Over his playing days, he wore the colors of clubs including Ordu from 1992 to 1996, as well as stints abroad with PSV in the Netherlands and Real Sociedad in Spain, alongside Russian clubs Dinamo and Lokomotiv. This varied career helped him develop a broad understanding of different football cultures and tactical approaches.
Following the defeat to Spartak, Khokhlov chose not to comment beyond noting that questions about his resignation would be answered in due course. The development marked a turning point for Sochi as they reassessed their coaching lineup and long-term strategy, aiming to restore stability and competitive form in a league-wide landscape that rewards results and consistency.