Yuri Zhirkov Not Ready To Be Head Coach

Former Russian international Yuri Zhirkov has said that he is not ready to be a head coach.

The 39-year-old, who retired from playing in 2021, has been working as an assistant coach at Spartak Moscow since 2022.

"I'm not ready to be a head coach yet," Zhirkov said in an interview with Sport-Express. "I need more experience. I'm still learning the ropes as an assistant coach."

Zhirkov, who played for clubs such as Chelsea, Anzhi Makhachkala and Zenit Saint Petersburg during his career, has been linked with the head coach positions at several Russian clubs in recent months.

However, he said that he is in no rush to take on a top job. "I'm in no hurry to become a head coach," he said. "I want to take my time and learn as much as I can. I'm enjoying my work at Spartak Moscow and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with such a great coach as Guillermo Abascal."