Sports Minister Matytsin criticized the national team coach Karpin for indifference

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin believes that the head coach of the Russian national football team is the face of the country, and “an expression of indifference in sports is a road to nowhere.” So Mr. Matytsin commented on the statement of the current national team coach Valery Karpin, who said that he “does not hold on” to his position.

“The head coach of the Russian national football team is not just the face of the team, it is the face of the country. The coach teaches the schemes and tactics of the game, discipline, but most importantly, he is an authority and a role model of decent behavior. Every word spoken gives the appropriate mood to the athletes and millions of Russian fans,” says Mr. Matytsin (quote from Interfax). According to the minister, Valery Karpin needs to decide “you are with us – the team, the fans, Russia” or “on your own.”

On March 25, at a press conference on the eve of a friendly match between the national teams of Russia and Iraq, Mr. Karpin once again declaredthat does not hold on to a post in the national team. “Are you ready to resign if we lose to Iraq? And what will change? Will we be returned? No. Yes, I just do not hold on to a place in the national team, as well as in “Rostov”. I like the team, but if they fire me, they fire me. What, am I going to die from this?” – he said.

Valery Karpin was appointed head coach of the Russian national team in the summer of 2021. At the moment, the national team is suspended from participation in international competitions and is playing a series of friendly matches with Asian teams. March 23 took place match between Russia and Iran in Tehran. The game ended with the score 1:1. The match against Iraq will take place today, March 26, at 18:00 at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg.