Russia’s greatest goal scorer Aleksandr Kerzhakov has ambitions to one day become the manager of Zenit St. Petersburg, according to a leading club official.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with news agency TASS, Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov revealed Kerzhakov’s desire to one day take the reins of the St. Petersburg club.
Speaking on the topic of what former greats like Andrei Arshavin and Kerzhakov’s next steps could be, Mitrofanov told TASS:
“Kerzhakov, unlike Arshavin, has a clear-cut understanding of what he wants after wrapping up the career of a football player and dreams of becoming the team manager in Zenit.”
“I believe that it is the right thing to do hiring team’s former players, moreover, such high-class players, for the work in the club.”
“This way we will manage passing the club’s philosophy from generation to generation.”
The White-Blue-Sky Blues already have the likes of Konstantin Zyryanov and Vladislav Radimov working on Zenit-2, while Sergei Semak was the caretaker head coach before André Villas-Boas took over, and the former Russian captain is now working as assistant for the Portuguese.
Currently on loan at Swiss side FC Zürich after falling out of favour under Villas-Boas, the 33-year-old is out of contract in the summer.
Having started his career at Zenit, Kerzhakov has managed 160 goals in 368 games over two spells with the Bomzhi.
Russia’s all-time top scorer, the veteran striker has not given up hope of making Leonid Slutsky’s squad for Euro 2016.
After four goals in his first seven games for the Swiss side, Kerzhakov received a call-up for Russia’s upcoming friendlies against Lithuania and France, and Russia’s shortcomings up front could be the golden ticket the experienced striker needs.
Should he fail to earn a recall, however, and with his contract fast expiring, a move into management could follow for a player with grand ambitions for the future.
Zenit, meanwhile, are in the midst of their own search for a new manager with Villas-Boas due to step down at the end of the season. The latest reports states that Zenit are looking for a foreigner, and current Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is currently the favourite for the job. There are however also those who hope that Zenit opt for a Russian, and here Semak is the favourite.
Last summer Zenit offered Kerzhakov a job in the coaching staff, but the striker denied it, feeling that he still had more to offer on the field. His performances for Zürich so far has proved him right, and it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for him.
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