Moscow striker Igor Lebedenko of Torpedo shared recollections about the farewell address given by former head coach Andrey Talalaev before his departure. Lebedenko recounts that Talalaev did not offer an explanation for his exit, but confirms there was a send-off with the team. He describes a moment when the squad was preparing for training, Talalaev spoke kindly, praised players, and signaled his departure with warmth, saying goodbye to everyone. The sentiment, as relayed by Lebedenko, reflected a respectful closure rather than a dramatic parting, and was relayed to RB Sports.
During Talalaev’s tenure, Torpedo contested twelve matches across the Russian Cup and the Russian Premier League, recording two victories, one draw, and nine losses. His dismissal came on March 22, marking a turning point for the club as it navigated a challenging season.
Following the twenty-first round, Torpedo sat at the bottom of the Russian Premier League table, trailing the top positions by ten points and trailing the playoff zone by seven. The season thus far had underscored the team’s struggles to secure results and climb the standings, with the club seeking a new direction to reverse the slide and restore competitiveness in the top tier.
Reactions from former Torpedo players surfaced as the club moved to appoint Josep Clotet as the new head coach of the black and white team. Clotet’s background includes a notable coaching career in Spain, where he began his professional journey in Catalonia and led the Cornella club for two seasons. His path also included a stint with the Espanyol youth system and responsibilities with a Spanish duo, before expanding his coaching horizon beyond his homeland. This transition signaled the club’s intent to introduce international experience to the squad and to implement a strategic plan aimed at stabilizing performances and improving results in the league and cup competitions.