Anatoly Timoşçuk resurfaced in news cycles after the latest incident involving him and his team. The Ukrainian coach of Zenit Saint Petersburg faced a car accident on the way to a Zenit training session, but no injuries were reported and there was no impact on the team’s preparation that day.
The club confirmed that Timoşçuk was unharmed and resumed his duties shortly after the event. A representative from Zenit, speaking to Championship, stated that the coach quickly returned to work and continued his duties without interruption.
According to a source close to the situation, Timoşçuk’s car only lightly touched another vehicle during the incident, after which he proceeded to the base of the blue-white-blue team and joined the squad for training later that day.
Since 2017, Timoşçuk has served as an assistant to Zenit’s head coach. He first joined the coaching staff during the 2016/17 season under Mircea Lucescu, then remained on the bench under Roberto Mancini, and continued his role under Sergei Semak, under whom Zenit captured the national championship on multiple occasions and currently leads the league standings. During his playing days, Timoşçuk wore Zenit’s blue-white-blue shirt. He joined the club from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007, serving as captain before a move to Bayern Munich two years later. There he earned domestic titles and European honours, including the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup.
After four seasons in Germany, he returned to Russia for two more campaigns, adding another Russian Premier League title before finishing his playing career with Kazakhstan’s Kairat. He then began a coaching path, earning his PRO license and taking a role at Zenit, a club where he had made a significant impact as a player, appearing in 150 matches. Even after Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, he remained in Saint Petersburg, a decision that drew attention and criticism from various circles.
As a consequence, Timoşçuk, who accumulated 144 appearances for the Ukrainian national team and scored four goals, faced sanctions and the withdrawal of certain recognitions in Ukraine. The Football Federation of Ukraine revoked certain coaching licenses, with Zenit countering these moves. In addition, Anatoly was stripped of an honorary title in Lutsk, his hometown, a measure that sparked debate among fans and officials alike.
Sergei Rebrov, a fellow former Ukraine international who now also coaches, commented on the evolving situation. He pointed out that some individuals connected to Ukrainian sports and culture may find themselves unable to return to the country or gain recognition in Europe, regardless of their professional status. The broader political climate, Rebrov suggested, creates a tense environment for many who feel torn between personal loyalties and public positions.
Rebrov added that while Tolya doubtlessly carries concern for his family, practical needs may take precedence over public stances. His words echoed concerns voiced by others in football and media circles about balancing personal lives with national loyalties in times of upheaval. Observers noted that, despite the challenges, the situation could still unfold in a way that favors reconciliation and continuity for those involved.
Meanwhile, colleagues and former teammates, including current television commentator Roman Shirokov, expressed cautious optimism about a possible resolution that would allow all sides to move forward. Shirokov suggested that, given the long tenure in the city and the connections to both sides of the conflict, it is reasonable to expect a gradual return to normalcy for those affected and a renewed focus on footballing tasks and competitions.
Zenit is now preparing for their upcoming Russian Premier League match against Sochi, an away fixture scheduled for April 3. The club holds a five-point cushion over Dynamo Moscow and a six-point lead over CSKA Moscow, sitting atop the standings with eight rounds remaining in the season.