Yuri Zhirkov: I Don't See Myself as a Head Coach Yet, Getting My Coaching License on Friday

Former Russian international Yuri Zhirkov has stated that he does not currently see himself as a head coach, despite being set to receive his coaching license on Friday.

Zhirkov, who made 105 appearances for the Russian national team, has been working as an assistant coach at Russian Premier League club Khimki since retiring from playing in 2021.

The 39-year-old has been linked with the head coach position at Khimki, but he has played down speculation, saying that he is not yet ready for such a role.

“I don't see myself as a head coach yet,” Zhirkov said. “I'm still learning and gaining experience as an assistant coach. I think I need more time before I'm ready to take on the responsibility of being a head coach.”

Zhirkov is one of several former Russian internationals to have recently obtained their coaching licenses, including Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko, and Dmitri Sychev.

It remains to be seen whether Zhirkov will eventually make the step up to head coach, but he is clearly in no rush to do so.

Additional Information:

• Yuri Zhirkov is a Russian football coach and former player who played as a left-back.
• He played for several clubs in Russia, including CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Moscow, and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
• Zhirkov made 105 appearances for the Russian national team and was a member of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2008 European Championship.
• He retired from playing in 2021 and has since been working as an assistant coach at Khimki.
• Zhirkov is one of several former Russian internationals to have recently obtained their coaching licenses.