Torpedo defender Ilya Kutepov answered why the team’s head coach, Josep Clotet, halted him from training with the base. There were no specific allegations against him. The coach saw no reason to continue cooperation while the contract runs down in the summer. There were no questions about education or discipline, and Kutepov stresses that the issue was not tied to misconduct. That same evening he received an official letter about the youth team’s participation in training. His manager also reached out to the club and received a response that this was the coach’s decision and unlikely to change.
Kutepov joined Torpedo at the start of the season on a one year contract with an option to renew if the club advances to the Russian Premier League next season. Earlier in April, Clotet suspended defenders Ilya Kutepov and Yuri Zhuravlev, along with captain Ravil Netfullin, from training with the main squad. The move created a notable disruption for a team already navigating a difficult run.
Torpedo currently sits at the bottom of the Russian Premier League table with 13 points and is 26 rounds into the season. The team has secured only one win against Fakel and has suffered five losses under Clotet’s leadership. The period has been marked by changes in the squad, with management indicating that decisions are being made to reshape the roster and rebuild the squad dynamics.
Former players and analysts have weighed in on the club’s current direction. Some voices have suggested that the recent steps reflect broader shakeups within the team as it seeks stability and a clearer path back toward significance in the league. The focus remains on restoring form and rebuilding confidence across the squad, with attention to the development of young players and the integration of veterans. The club continues to assess options for the remainder of the season as it works toward improved performances and better results on match days.