So it was perceived as a pampering of a rich man. Or flirt with fans. Speculation that now seems increasingly true is that in early April 2018, Sergei Galitsky fired Igor Shalimov from Krasnodar. After a weak draw with Anzhi, when the team conceded a goal in injury time. In the RPL there were only four rounds in which the coach scored five points. Before that, it was eliminated from the Europa League and Russian Cup qualifications. And in the RPL, after an unexpected rise to second place, it fell to fifth place.
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The fans were definitely happy. They understood: Shalimov gave everything to the team and even more. And when strange transfers arrived, progress stopped completely. But wait, this is not like Galitsky: he never fired a coach based on results. Remember this expression that Krasnodar does not need nine cups if it plays football badly. In addition, Galitsky treated Igor warmly, they walked together and talked about tactics, and there were no special complaints about his style. However, at some point the point of no return was passed. And after the draw with Anzhi, the owner announced his dismissal of the coach.
Sergei Galitsky
owner of Krasnodar
“Journalists have been asking us to change coaches for a long time. This is not an easy decision. What is it connected to? The coach of one of the teams correctly said: with us it is easy to prepare for matches, we play the same football. But we will continue playing. There was a lot of criticism against Igor and this is not very fair. Our selection lately hasn’t been fantastic. This also had an influence. The emotions of losing points with Anzhi were also present in the decision to part with Shalimov, I will not hide it. Although the club is mine, the fans are also important. I’ve been under pressure all year. The fans were unhappy with the results and did not understand some things. And I defended Igor. In the end I had to accept: now Igor needs a break.”
It is evident that the parties parted with the greatest respect. There was no point in waiting until the end of the season. The Shalimov cycle was over and many, if not all, understood it. This, by the way, is a big difference from the situation of Vladimir Ivich, who was fired without any explanation, publishing a curt statement. The fans, the public and the team were against it. Galitsky demonstrated: only he decides at the Club. And the club belongs only to him. And if you don’t like something, that’s your problem.
Sergei Shalimov
Photo: Alexander Mysyakin, “Championship”
The similarity is that Musaev in 2018 and now arrives in the context of a crisis of results and strange transfers. Then, an intermediate fifth place and, after the restart, a victory, a loss, two draws and six games until the end of the championship. Now, an intermediate second place, after the restart, a draw and two defeats (one of them led to elimination from the Cup) and 10 games left in the championship.
There is one more intersection. So what is now Musaev’s first trip: visiting the top. Six years ago it was Zenit. Now – Loko. Fans probably still remember that match in St. Petersburg well. If only because Krasnodar won. It is not the most frequent event in St. Petersburg. And the guest did it in style. Oleg Shatov, who was playing on loan for the Bulls at the time, scored the first. Do you remember this emotional moment? After all, the footballer left St. Petersburg due to a conflict with Roberto Mancini, and then scored a goal for his former team.
Oleg came out crying in the second half as a substitute; For him it was very important to prove that the Italian was wrong. Although Peter tied the score, he ultimately failed again. Yes, Musaev did not have much time to implement his ideas, but he managed to influence the psychology of the team. The players understood: at the end of the matches they can not only lose goals, but also score them; It was as if they had forgotten about this opportunity with Shalimov.
And here are Musaev’s words after the match in St. Petersburg.
Murad Musaev
I. head coach of Krasnodar
“I hardly communicated with Galitsky before the game. I think he deliberately walked away after my date. We spoke twice and then about general topics. He not only gave me freedom, but he did not get involved in any matter. Ball control is the idea of our club. Combined and offensive football. Players love doing this. It’s good that in the away game we didn’t worry, but controlled the ball. Perhaps we acted riskily today when we launched the attacks. We will try to play less risky. I know many soccer players. Each coach has his own nuances. “We want to change something, but it is difficult immediately.”
Then the appointment of a young coach was perceived as another peculiarity of Galitsky. It is unlikely that many believed that after working at the youth level he would be able to establish himself in the RPL. It is also important to take into account the fact that Musaev did not have time for systematic work. After all, he arrived at a time when there were no breaks for international matches before the World Cup. Therefore, there are games every week and this is endless stress. However, the coach seemed to know what had to be done. He did not organize a global tactical restructuring immediately after his arrival. Simply because the boys knew how to play football, something that was close to the owner’s soul, even without him. First, it was worth finishing the season on a positive note, entering European competition and then thinking about progressing. And Murad coped with this task.
In six games under his leadership, there was only one defeat: against CSKA. That season, the Muscovites were more active than others in chasing Lokomotiv, which took first place. By the way, Yuri Semin’s team won immediately afterwards. But in the last round there was an offensive tie with Rubin. In general, if it were not for her, Krasnodar could even get the place in the league championship. But demanding medals from the young coach in such a situation was not possible.
How did Musaev work abroad?
Musaev will lead Krasnodar after Ivic. What has he achieved at the club and abroad?
The beginning of Musaev’s work was considered successful. Otherwise, he would not have stayed for the next two seasons, in which the club had already won medals. And for the first time we reached the group stage of the Champions League.
So Galitsky was definitely not wrong in appointing a coach. But what will it be this time?
