Vladimir Ponomarev, a former CSKA and USSR national team defender, has been recognized as one of the most respected figures in Russian football. He shared his views in an interview published by a legal betting outlet.
According to him, the most respected football minds in Russia are Oleg Romantsev, Evgeny Lovchev, and Yuri Semin. He noted that he cannot name anyone who is still active with the same standing. The only contemporary name he mentioned with comparable presence is Semak, though his status depends on his conduct in public life.
Semak is not a highly public figure, whereas Yura Semin maintains a higher profile in media interactions. The defender recalled that Semin was an engaging conversationalist during his younger years and questions why Semak remains more reserved today. Efforts to reach Semak for comments were unsuccessful when attempted by the interviewee.
Yuri Semin’s coaching career includes multiple stints at Lokomotiv Moscow from 1986 to 1990, 1992 to 2005, 2009 to 2010, and 2016 to 2020. Under his leadership, the club won the Russian championship three times and captured the national cup six times. Semin’s last position in his coaching career was with Rostov, a role he left in September 2021 after a long association with Russian football.
Sergei Semak assumed command of Zenit in 2018 and had previously served with the club in St. Petersburg from 2013 to 2016 as part of the technical staff. Under his guidance, Zenit achieved five Russian Premier League titles, one Cup, and three Super Cups. He was named Russia’s coach of the year on two occasions, reflecting notable success during his leadership spell.
In conversation, the former Zenit player expressed a humble view of his own place in the sport, saying he does not consider himself exceptionally outstanding. The sentiment resonates with the broader respect many holders of the Russian football success story share for veteran coaches and players who shaped the domestic game across decades.