Yuri Zhirkov does not see himself as a head coach yet

The former Russian national team player spoke about his future plans

Zhirkov is currently the sporting director of Khimki

On May 24, 2023, the former Russian national team midfielder and Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov announced that he had completed his coaching courses and received a coaching license.

In an interview with Sport-Express, he said that he does not yet see himself in the role of head coach. Now the 39-year-old specialist works as a sports director in Khimki.

Zhirkov is a pupil of the Spartak Tambov football school. He began his professional career in 2001 at the Spartak club from his hometown. In 2004, he moved to CSKA Moscow, with which he became the champion of Russia (2005, 2006), won the Russian Cup (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and the UEFA Cup (2005). In 2009, he moved to Chelsea, where he won the English Premier League, the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.

Zhirkov played for the Russian national team from 2005 to 2018. He participated in the 2008 European Championship and the 2012 European Championship, as well as the 2014 and 2018 World Championships.