Former coach Yuri Semin backs RFU decision to extend Valery Karpin’s contract with the national team
Yuri Semin, a respected figure in Russian football who previously led Lokomotiv Moscow, has voiced support for the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) choice to extend Valery Karpin’s tenure as head coach of the Russia national team. According to Sports24, Semin believes the extension is the right move and notes visible progress within the squad. He also emphasizes that the team’s future results will hinge on the outcomes of official competitions, rather than purely on development in training or friendlies.
The appointment of Karpin as the national team manager has been a topic of sustained discussion in domestic football circles. In July 2021, Karpin served as Rostov’s head coach before stepping into the national team role. He initially attempted to balance responsibilities between Rostov and the national squad, but in early August he announced a shift in focus toward the national team. This decision led to his departure from Rostov, with subsequent periods during which he balanced duties across both teams before the current arrangement fully took hold.
Beyond management changes, the broader landscape of Russian football faced significant upheavals. In the spring of 2022, football governing bodies announced sanctions that affected Russia. The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend the Russian national team and Russian clubs from all competitions under their control. This ban deprived the team of participation in crucial qualifiers and tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup play-offs and the European Championship for the year of hosting access in Germany. Such disruptions had a lasting impact on preparation, squad selection, and the overall trajectory of the national program.
There has been consistent commentary from seasoned figures about the strategic direction of the RFU, including Valery Gazzaev, who weighed in on the decision to extend Karpin’s contract. Gazzaev publicly supported the move, arguing that continuity at the helm would provide stability and a clearer long-term plan for the squad during a period of international uncertainty and sporadic competition. The emphasis, according to Gazzaev, is on building a cohesive team culture, maintaining tactical clarity, and ensuring that players have a stable platform to grow and perform on the field.
Experts in Russian football recognize that leadership decisions like this one can influence the national team’s competence and confidence. Supporters argue that a steady coaching hand is especially valuable when external factors—such as sanctions and schedule disruptions—limit opportunities for international play and testing. The core expectation remains: with continued leadership, the national team can demonstrate progress during the official fixtures and push toward meaningful results when the calendar resumes normal competition. In this view, the RFU’s extension is less about short-term wins and more about sustaining a coherent plan for development, selection, and tactical execution across players who contribute to Russia’s footballing ambitions.
As the program moves forward, observers will watch how Karpin harmonizes the dual demands of preparing a squad capable of competing on the European stage while navigating the ongoing changes within Russian football’s competitive and administrative environment. The next phase will reveal how the team translates incremental progress into tangible outcomes on matchdays, and whether the confidence in leadership translates into improved performance in future qualifying campaigns and international friendlies alike.