Former Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis weighed in on Torpedo’s heavy defeat to Akhmat Grozny in the 26th round of the Russian Premier League, sharing his thoughts with Sport Express. His verdict was blunt and clear: the team fell apart, and its current form is hard to defend. He noted that Torpedo still carries a famous name and once boasted players who could light up any stadium, yet something essential seems missing at the club today. The squad appears to be structured for a future in the First National League rather than fighting for a place in the Premier League, he suggested, questioning the club’s leadership and its decision-making process. In his view, hiring a coach from the lower tiers of the B or C divisions rather than a higher-level option from the current development path would have been a smarter move that could have stabilized the team and sparked improvement. The remarks carried a sting: amateurs seem to be running the club at the moment, a situation that makes supporters and observers shake their heads in disappointment.
In the match, Josep Clotet’s Torpedo endured a 1:5 loss to Akhmat Grozny. The setback followed a previous decision by the coaching staff to suspend three players from training, including team captain Ravil Netfullin, an action that has drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts about the squad’s discipline and cohesion. The episode added another layer to the ongoing narrative of a team struggling to find rhythm and stability amid a crowded season. This latest development came as Torpedo remains far from the top of the table and continues to chase improvement through a period of transition and renewed scrutiny of leadership decisions.
With 26 rounds completed in the RPL, Torpedo sits bottom of the standings with 13 points. The season thus far has featured a sole victory against Fakel and a string of defeats that have tested the club’s resilience and its supporters’ patience. The team’s performance under its current leadership has prompted questions about strategy, player development, and the ability to compete at the highest level. The club’s direction and the results on the pitch are closely watched by fans who remember the club’s former stature and hope for a turnaround that can restore competitiveness and pride in every match.
Oleksandr Borodyuk, a former Torpedo head coach, also commented on the club’s disappointing results as they returned to the RPL. He emphasized the need for a clear plan and better execution, warning that short-term fixes without a coherent long-term approach are unlikely to yield lasting improvement. The prevailing sentiment among analysts is that the club must align its resources, coaching philosophy, and player lineup to build a foundation that can endure the pressures of top-tier competition, rather than chasing quick, unsustainable fixes that only deepen the cycle of poor results.