Intro: Last season was a time to re-evaluate and rebuild for Anzhi. With their financial backing largely withdrawn in 2014, they struggled in the Premier League and were relegated. The rest of their top players left and the bare bones remained. That didn’t stop Anzhi though, and with some very apt summer signings including Yannick Boli, Amadou Moutari and Leonardo, they have bounced back and secured promotion, finishing in 2nd place in the FNL. They were buoyed by the performances of their … [Read more...]
Fall of the Anzhi House
January 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Author’s remark: This is an article written on Sports.ru by user Wolverine in August 2013 for his own blog. This is NOT an RFN original and it was just translated by me to help the reader understand the situation at Anzhi better. The author’s opinion may be different from the translator’s. All the information in this article is from August 10, 2013. The football gods decided to fill the RPL offseason very smartly, not only with a national team match, easy European fixtures and the start to … [Read more...]
Assuming Anzhi’s Mantle?
September 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In early August, the Russian football community went into meltdown. Anzhi were slashing their budget, prompting rumours of a fire sale at every turn – Eto’o here, Willian there, Russian internationals on buy one get one free. Kerimov was cutting back, they said, and the rest of the world stood back and laughed as the Anzhi project appeared set to crumble. Purely due to the lack of games played and the relatively short period of time that has elapsed, it is hard to see how severe the impact … [Read more...]
Anzhi’s New Approach Is Refreshing
August 20, 2013 by 6 Comments
16 year old blogger Matthew Brown is delighted with Anzhi's decision to slash their annual budget. (His blog, containing non-Russian football, can be found here: Matty’s Footy Thoughts) Anzhi fans must be wound up at hearing their star players constantly being linked with departures from their club. They must also struggle to regard the new strategy from Suleyman Kerimov as refreshing. Their feeling is probably more one of resentment and nausea. Yet, the supporters should be proud of what … [Read more...]
Monday Rewind: August 5-12
August 12, 2013 by 2 Comments
All the Russian football news we can find from around the Web in the last week, published every Monday morning. EDITOR'S PICK: Anzhi Makhachkala: Why are big-spending Russians cutting back? - BBC Sport MONDAY, AUGUST 5: The gloves are off at Anzhi - Slavic Football Union Russian legacy is building at a cost - Inside World Football An Eto'o Update: How is One of the World's Highest Paid Players Doing in Russia - Squawka TUESDAY, AUGUST 6: FIFA Agrees to 81,000 Capacity for … [Read more...]
The End For Anzhi, Or A New Beginning?
August 7, 2013 by 4 Comments
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...]
Can the Anzhi Turmoil Lead to a Greater Good?
August 7, 2013 by 1 Comment
In the past 24 hours, Anzhi have been thrown into turmoil. For one reason or another, Suleiman Kerimov has decided to severely cut spending from around $150m+ to between $50m-$70m. There is widespread speculation as to the catalyst to have caused Kerimov to make such a major decision; Kerimov's health has been noted, with reports suggesting that after the 1-0 defeat to Rostov at the weekend, his health took a turn for the worse. However, Hiddink's departure a couple of weeks ago suggests there … [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...]
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...]
Should Anzhi Be Allowed to Host UEFA Matches in Dagestan?
June 25, 2013 by 12 Comments
On June 19, UEFA banned Anzhi from hosting Europa League matches in Dagestan for the 2013/2014 season. Beginning this fall, Anzhi will welcome European competition to Saturn Stadium, located just outside of Moscow, rather than its home arena in Makhachkala. Russian Football News contributors Andy Shenk and John Sager debate UEFA's stance on football in Russia's southernmost republic, offering an in-depth look at the issues Dagestan is wrestling with as it seeks to establish itself as a major … [Read more...]
