Semin questions Jokanovic’s Dynamo tenure after spring setbacks
Former head coach of Lokomotiv and the Russian national team, Yuri Semin, believes Slavisha Jokanovic did not adequately prepare Dynamo for the challenges of the spring portion of the season. Semin, speaking to Sports Express, emphasized the realities of coaching at a high level, where tough periods often end with leadership changes unless a plan for the second phase is in place.
According to Semin, the profession is defined by moments when results are bleak and trust from above is scarce. In such times, a coach is either dismissed or allowed to exit. He pointed out a pattern in the recent campaign: teams tend to adopt a certain approach for the upcoming stretch, yet the outcomes can diverge sharply. He observed that Spartak managed a modest haul in the second half, while Dynamo and Semak’s squad accumulated too many points. Each club claimed status as a rival to Zenit, but in practice they could not close the gap, which often leads to personnel decisions, Semin noted.
On May 14 Dynamo faced a 0-3 defeat against Akhmat Grozny. Immediately after the match it was reported that Slavisha Jokanovic had been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Moscow club. The timing underscored a decisive turn in Dynamo’s season, with the results acting as the catalyst for a leadership change.
Jokanovic had taken over Dynamo before the start of the season. Under his management, the team experienced a setback in the Russian Cup, surrendering to Krylya Sovetov, and then suffered a 0-2 home defeat to Fakel on the club’s centennial celebration day. The sequence of losses contributed to a growing sense that Dynamo needed a different direction as the calendar moved through the early spring into the late season.
In the weeks that followed, Dynamo players publicly voiced frustration on the pitch, with disagreements and tensions seemingly bubbling to the surface. The tension reflected broader concerns about preparation, strategic alignment, and the execution of game plans at critical moments. This internal strain coincided with an assessment of the squad’s performance during the season’s late stages, highlighting a gap between expectations and outcomes.
By the end of the 27th week of the Russian Premier League, Dynamo stood in seventh place in the standings. The placement marked a period of uncertainty for the club, raising questions about who would guide the team forward and how the roster would adapt to the demands of the next phase of the campaign. The discussions around Dynamo’s direction continued to involve varied opinions from observers and former professionals who analyzed the decisions behind the team’s trajectory.
Earlier, Vladislav Radimov, a former critic from Moscow, weighed in on Dynamo’s choice, offering his perspective on the club’s direction and the implications of changing leadership at this juncture. The conversation around Jokanovic’s tenure and Dynamo’s prospects remained a focal point for fans and analysts as the team prepared for the months ahead, seeking stability and a clearer plan for progression.