Former Russian international Yuri Zhirkov doesn’t see himself as a head coach yet

Yet another ex-national player commented on the situation with coaching staff in the Russian national football team.

Yuri Zhirkov, who has played 105 matches for the Russian national football team, doesn’t consider himself ready to coach the team yet.

The 40-year-old footballer said that he needed time to gain experience and knowledge.

Zhirkov also said that he would never rule out the possibility of becoming a head coach in the future if the right opportunity comes along.

He added that he is currently working as an assistant with Russian Premier League club Zenit St. Petersburg, the same one he used to play for, and is eager to learn from the head coach, Sergei Semak.

Zhirkov is not the first former Russian international to comment on the situation with the coaching staff in the national team.

Earlier, former Russian international Igor Denisov said that he believes that the Russian national football team should be coached by a Russian specialist.

Denisov also said that he would be willing to coach the national team if he were offered the job.

The Russian national football team is currently without a head coach following the departure of Valeri Karpin in July 2022.

The Russian Football Union (RFU) is reportedly considering several candidates for the position, including former Spartak Moscow manager Massimo Carrera and former Russia U-21 manager Mikhail Galaktionov.