On the evening of 6th August, shockwaves were sent through the Russian football world. In a press conference scheduled late into the Moscow night, club director Konstantin Remchukov revealed that the club would be dramatically slashing the club’s playing budgets, resulting in the departure of several high-profile players. In essence, the Anzhi dream was over. The warnings signs were obvious. First came Guus Hiddink’s sudden departure. Secondly, the signing of Igor Denisov, who within weeks – … [Read more...]
(Monday) Rewind: July 22-31
July 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
All the Russian football news we can find from around the Web in the last week, published every Monday morning. Apologies for the late release this week. EDITOR'S PICK: Why did Hiddink leave Anzhi? - The Moscow News MONDAY, JULY 22: Russian Football Refereeing Errors Cause for FA Concern - Pundit - RIA Novosti CSKA - Young, Ambitious and Dangerous - Russian Football News TUESDAY, JULY 23: Greener grass: Russian players with chances to move abroad - Back Page … [Read more...]
Round Table: Week Two
July 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Pavel (@russianpotter) - Nizhny Novgorod-based young journalist and Spartak supporter, Volga attendee Manuel (@homosovieticus) - PhD Student with focus on Soviet history and football, as well as blogger at Futbolgrad.com (@futbolgradlive) Xavier (@AxeMurderer60) - French Russian football fan and CSKA supporter Ashraff (@serapdesengal) - A Loko supporter and student in Moscow Rob (@RobDillonMTA) - Journalist who specializes in Russian football, Editor of More Than Arshavin John … [Read more...]
Don’t Panic Yet, Anzhi Fans!
July 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hiddink may be gone and results may be poor but there is still time for Anzhi to improve. 16 year old Matthew Brown thinks that Anzhi fans need to stay calm and stop panicking. (His blog, containing non-Russian football, can be found here: Matty's Footy Thoughts) Anzhi fans will not be happy with their team’s performances so far this season. After spending the most money out of all of the Russian clubs this summer, they would have expected their side to be sitting on top of the table, even … [Read more...]
Guus Hiddink Steps Down at Anzhi Makhachkala
July 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I got the news last night from Ashraff Hasnan, another RFN contributor, who also happened to be at the CSKA - Krylia Sovetov match in Khimki. On the trip home from the arena, overhearing several more conversations about Hiddink's departure, I had the sense everyone else, like me, was trying to process what had happened. Had Hiddink truly resigned? Was he diplomatically asked to leave by Suleyman Kerimov after a draw at home to Lokomotiv and loss to Dynamo? Or had Anzhi planned this transition … [Read more...]
Aleksandr Kokorin: Blessing or Trouble in Disguise?
July 21, 2013 by 2 Comments
INTRO The long-awaited decision regarding Kokorin was finally announced last week. The destination for the very promising youngster, who has even been called Russia's future, is Makhachkala. Kokorin will ply his trade next season at Anzhi Arena, far away from much-speculated St. Petersburg, the home of Zenit. The move, however, does not come cheap. It was reported that Anzhi paid almost €19m for this relatively new hot property, who so far has yet to prove himself at a higher level. … [Read more...]
Anzhi Makhachkala Season Preview
July 10, 2013 by 2 Comments
INTRO: Looking back, Anzhi enjoyed plenty of success last season. The club advanced to the round of 16 in the Europa League, after starting the competition in mid July in the 2nd qualifying round. Guus Hiddink's men finished 3rd in the league, Anzhi's first medal, and redemption for 2000, when Torpedo Moscow converted a penalty in added time on the last day of the season to deny Anzhi the bronze medal. Plus, Makhachkala reached the Russian Cup Final, dispatching Dynamo and Zenit in the … [Read more...]
