Valery Masalitin, the former CSKA forward, weighed in on the outspoken remarks from Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian national team, about his willingness to walk away from the national squad if necessary. Masalitin framed Karpin’s stance as a display of decisive leadership, arguing that a coach who appears weak in a game that often rewards stealth and strategic patience can be dismissed at any moment, regardless of status. He emphasized that Karpin seeks true independence from external authorities, asserting that the coach does not hold a conventional bureaucratic role but instead aims to bring his own knowledge and approach to the national team.
Masalitin added that a powerful move by Karpin would be to leverage support from major sponsors, mentioning Gazprom, and suggesting that Semak could be placed in the national team without seeking formal approval from the Minister of Sports or the Russian Football Union. He cast this as a demonstration of decisive administrative action, implying that such a shift would occur swiftly, underscoring a belief in the coach’s autonomy and authority within the program.
In the summer of 2021, Karpin assumed leadership of the Russian national team while also serving as head coach of Rostov. Initially, plans were made to balance duties between the national team and Rostov, but early in August he announced a decision to concentrate on the national team, subsequently stepping away from Rostov. Following organizational changes within the national team, Karpin briefly returned to a dual role, juggling responsibilities for both the national side and Rostov for a period before focusing again on the national program.
Meanwhile, Josep Clotet, the new Torpedo coach, publicly acknowledged his admiration for Karpin, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the football community. Clotet stated that he respects Karpin not only for his managerial acumen but also for the way he performed as a player. This appreciation underscores the resonance Karpin continues to have across different roles within Russian football, reinforcing the notion that his influence extends beyond coaching duties to wider strategic respect among peers and rivals alike.