Evgeniy Biryukov – a living legend not only of Magnitogorsk hockey, but of the entire KHL. The man played 1,001 games in the league (823 in the regular season and 178 in the playoffs), earning the respect of his partners and fans. Evgeniy also became one of their own in Ufa, where he finished his career and then worked in the coaching staff as an assistant to Viktor Kozlov.
Now Biryukov has a new challenge: he replaced Sergei Gomolyako as sports director of his native Metallurg. In an exclusive interview with a “Championship” columnist, the new manager explained how and why he decided to become a manager, as well as what steps he plans to take in his new workplace.
New career path for Evgeniy Biryukov
“In Ufa they understood me as a human being.” The KHL legend returned home with a new role
“Everything must be done in a humane and correct way”
—How and from whom did you receive the invitation to become sports director of Metallurg? — A proposal was received from the director of Metallurg, Alexei Valerievich Zhloba. We talked for a long time, he told me how he saw this whole story, I listened to him. After that I made it clear that I had to talk to Ufa: the coaching staff and the management of Salavat Yulaev. I’m not the kind of person who just gets up and runs away.
– But you received a very attractive offer. “I understood that these offers sometimes come once in a lifetime. Especially from my home club. I spoke with Ufa coaches: Viktor Kozlov and Nikolai Tsulygin. They said, “Go ahead, go ahead.” The management of Salavat Yulaev also met with me and immediately gave me the green light. I am very grateful to everyone, we have maintained a warm relationship.
– However, in your head, you probably made a decision for yourself instantly? – Yes, but everything must be done humanely and correctly.
—Did you also say goodbye to the Salavat players? – Necessarily. There was a meeting, I said warm words to all the guys, I thanked them for having been wonderfully received in Ufa four years ago. Great team.
— Are you planning to visit Gleb Kuzmin, who was seriously injured? — Gleb and I corresponded. If I have time and everything goes well, I will definitely visit him in the Moscow hospital. Now we leave along the route Minsk – Balashikha – Mytishchi.
“Both on my part and on the part of Gomolyako it is stupid to look for complaints”
—How many years have you signed an agreement with Metallurg as sports director? – This is an inside story. We work, we get involved and then we’ll see.
—Weren’t you worried about having enormous experience as a player, experience as a coach, but no managerial experience? “It’s stupid to say I wasn’t worried.” I had all kinds of thoughts, I thought about it and then I made a decision. They immediately told me there would be support and help. We have an excellent specialist, Alexander Malashkin, one of the best sports lawyers in the league with extensive experience: 20 years at the club. So they didn’t leave me alone, there was help from all sides (laughs).
—Did you manage to speak with your predecessor, Sergei Gomolyako, and did he transfer the matter to you? — Sergei Yuryevich wrote to me and congratulated me on the appointment, I also responded to him. We have a normal relationship, we always communicate well.
– Is there any resentment? His departure was somewhat strange. —What kind of grievances can there be when we have worked together for so many years and have known each other for a long time? It is stupid for both me and him to seek complaints.
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“Kozlov understood me, he understood my proposal and the choice I made”
—Still, it is very interesting to know in more detail how Viktor Kozlov reacted to his departure. “First of all, he understood me, my proposal and the choice I made. There is a path as a coach, but now I have gone in the other direction, this is also a very interesting job. Victor wished me all the best and good luck. We have known each other for 10 years. He was my coach at Metallurg and in Ufa, first as a coach, and only later I became his assistant.
Evgeny Biryukov and Viktor Kozlov
Photo: HC “Salavat Yulaev”
— During the time you played and worked there, did Ufa become your second home? – Definitely. I met many friends, good people, and they always treated me very well. I can only say good words. This is a great experience for me, a memorable turn in my career. For the first time in my life I moved from Metallurg to another club. In the end everything turned out great.
—Did your family support your decision? —The family council was held. Everyone supported me and understood me perfectly. Our family base, our home – everything is in Magnitogorsk.
— Will the need to constantly be in touch and hold the phone in your hands become a burden for you? – No, it won’t depress me, I’m normal about it. My work is interesting. It seems to me that now everyone walks around with their phone in their hand (laughs).
“I knew some aspects of the regulations, I played in the league for so many years!”
— Are you familiar with the agents and the details of their work? “I know many people well, but we all know each other in absentia.” I already managed to talk to some people, I met sports directors and general directors of other teams. Communication is in full swing.
– Do you understand that you will have to bargain a lot, negotiate, defend your position in some places and make concessions in others? “I understand, but nothing in life is easy if you want to achieve something.” I have support, we work as a team, then we decide and discuss everything collectively, after which the final decision is made.
— Have you managed to delve into the nuances of the regulations related to the salary cap, signing of contracts, exchanges, qualified offers and other important things? — I knew some moments, I played for so many years in the league! Of course, there are also things that are new to me. I repeat, I have a good assistant who is like a duck in water on these issues.
— Do you know, for example, the nuances that somewhere clubs like Magnitogorsk have to overpay a player so that he does not go to Moscow, St. Petersburg or Kazan? — I didn’t come from the moon, it’s always been like that (laughs). Our advantage is that Metallurg is a club with a great history. The team always fights for the Gagarin Cup and wins it. This is an important and serious trump card.
Evgeniy Biryukov
Photo: HC “Avangard”
“We never played together with Razin, but we knew each other”
— Do you have good communication with the Metallurg coach, Andréi Razin? Will all decisions be made jointly? — We see each other every day and communicate. Everything is fine, working. We never played together anywhere, but we knew each other.
— Will Metallurg President Viktor Rashnikov and Director Alexey Zhloba support your decisions with Razin? — Viktor Filippovich has been immersed in this business all his life. If it were not for him, Metallurg would not have achieved great success. This is our president, whom we always listen to. We are in contact with Alexey Valerievich every day.
—How would you rate the current Metallurg lineup? – The composition is good. A great advantage is that the team is young and champion. The boys now have the experience of winning, history is very important, necessary and useful. The boys showed everyone that they can win.
— Can you repeat the success of the championship? – Nothing is impossible. The history of the KHL remembers many teams that won the Gagarin Cup two years in a row: Ak Bars, Dynamo Moscow, CSKA. We won the trophy in 2016 and played in the final in 2017.
“With any decision you cannot help, but rather break and destroy what works”
—Will the youth team and the agricultural club continue to be active in the VHL? – Certainly. And go to the games and talk to the guys and coaches. This is my immediate responsibility.
—Does Metallurg have any position that needs to be strengthened? — A team is a living organism. You always want to improve something, but you must remember that with any decision you cannot help but break and destroy what works. This is a very fine line, you have to think about everything. Treat your work with care, think about what and how you do it.
Evgeniy Biryukov
Photo: photo.khl.ru
— Have you already taken the first steps or are you simply thinking about taking them in your new position? — Certain moments have passed, but nothing important yet.
— Finally, I want to ask you about Sergei Mozyakin. There were rumors that he could take the position of sports director. Tell us about your communication. — Sergei is my friend. We communicate a lot. He does his job, he has his own scope and area of responsibility as a development director. Of course, we are in contact with him. And Vasily Koshechkin and Yaroslav Khabarov, for example, work on the coaching staff. People who are also close to me.
