Znarok stepped down as head coach of Ak Bars

The head coach of Ak Bars Oleg Znarok left the post of his own free will, said press office Kazan hockey club He quit after five months on the job.

The reason is not specified, however, in a commentary by Ak Bars general manager Marat Valiullin, it is said that the head coach’s decision “is primarily due to the desire to change the players’ approach to work.” “We hope this will have a positive impact on the results of the team,” the statement said.

Mr. Znarok thanked the club and the fans who “supported the team in any situation.” “I believe that this team is capable of fighting for high places and I wish good luck to every hockey player in the roster,” he said in a statement.

Yuriy Babenko, who was an assistant to Mr. Znark, was appointed acting head coach. Alexander Boykov and Alexander Agopeev continue to work as coaches. The updated coaching staff will work at least until the end of December, and “the final decision will be made after the New Year.”

59-year-old Oleg Znarok headed Ak Bars on July 1. The contract with him was concluded for a year. Prior to that, he worked as the head coach of Spartak (2019–2021). In 2014-2018, Mr. Znarok headed the Russian team, during this period the team became the world champion (2014) and the Olympic champion (2018). Mr. Znarok is also a three-time winner of the Gagarin Cup – twice with Dynamo Moscow (headed the club in 2010-2014) and once with St. Petersburg SKA (headed the club in 2016-2018). Previously, he also worked as the head coach of the Latvian national team (2006–2011).

Leonid Uvarchev