The Moscow club Torpedo has officially announced the appointment of a new head coach on its website. The man taking charge is 45-year-old Spanish football specialist Josep Clotet, who most recently guided Brescia in Italy. His coaching résumé also includes stints at SPAL in Italy and Birmingham City in England, underscoring a varied career across major European leagues.
Entering a difficult phase, Avtozavodtsy find themselves at the bottom of the Russian Premier League table after 20 rounds, sitting in 16th place with seven points. The squad has been struggling to find steady form, a challenge that the new coach will be expected to address quickly as the season progresses.
In contrast, Khimki sits in 15th position with 13 points, and there are ten rounds remaining in the championship. The upcoming fixtures will determine whether either club can pull clear of danger or if the relegation battle will intensify as the calendar moves forward.
Last season, Torpedo experimented with a three-man coaching group, led by Alexander Borodyuk, Nikolay Savichev, and Andrey Talalaev. That arrangement did not yield the stability the club sought, and the leadership transition to Clotet is intended to provide a clearer tactical vision and a more consistent approach on match days.
Looking ahead, Torpedo is scheduled to travel to face Rostov in the next round. The game is slated for April 2, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 Moscow time. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see how Clotet’s methods translate into results on the road and whether his international experience can spark a turning point for the team.
Beyond the club’s immediate needs, the appointment feeds into broader conversations about managerial options at high-profile clubs worldwide. In related developments, there have been discussions about potential candidates for managerial roles at other clubs in Europe, including speculation surrounding positions in London. These conversations highlight the ongoing interest in coaches with international backgrounds and proven track records in building competitive squads across different leagues. (Attribution: Torpedo official site and league press reports.)