Valeri Karpin has officially left his role as head coach of FC Rostov, focusing his energy and dedication entirely on the Russian national team. Announced on February 25, 2024, the decision came just days before the resumption of the Russian Premier League, sparking mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.
Karpin, who had served as head coach since March 2022, emphasized the emotional weight of his choice. "Today is not easy for me: I am leaving the position of head coach of FC Rostov," Karpin said during his official announcement, where he expressed gratitude to his players and the fans for their unwavering support. The renowned coach formed strong bonds with the team and the Rostov community, saying the city and club had become like family to him.
The announcement was made by the president of FC Rostov, Artashes Arutyunyan, who articulated the significance of prioritizing national interests over club-focused endeavors. "The interests of individual clubs cannot outweigh the interests of the national team representing our country," he stated, highlighting the necessity of Karpin's full commitment to the national squad.
Karpin's coaching history with FC Rostov is fairly distinguished; he first took the helm back in December 2017 but left the position for the national team after the 2020-2021 season. He made his return to the club's coaching staff shortly after the national team was barred from international competitions, allowing him to resume his role domestically. His time with the club encapsulated significant moments, including leading them to the best league finish during the last registered season, securing fourth place.
Following Karpin’s resignation, Jonathan Alba, age 43, has stepped up as the new head coach. Having previously worked as Karpin's chief analyst, Alba brings valuable experience to the role. He was part of the coaching staff when Karpin coached the national team, forming part of the trusted team behind Karpin's strategy and vision for both the club and national side.
The abrupt announcement has raised eyebrows across the football community, generating discussions around the genuine reasons for Karpin's departure—particularly portraying him as fatigued from the demands of club management. Alexander Tashin, the general producer at Match TV, stated, "I have the utmost respect for Valeri Georgievich as both a person and coach. This decision is quite unexpected." Meanwhile, Ruslan Nigmatullin speculated on the potential challenges related to club ownership changes, indicating there might be underlying factors influencing Karpin's decision-making process.
Though it remains uncertain what the future holds, rumors circulated about Karpin and his family potentially relocating to Estonia—where his wife and daughters possess citizenship. They are currently said to be exploring the language and culture of Estonia, perhaps with the intent of integrating more deeply with their familial roots. Nevertheless, some information from his family hints at plans to maintain strong ties to Rostov, highlighting their emotional attachment to the city.
Looking forward, Karpin's commitment to the national team aims to prepare them for significant matches scheduled for 2025 against teams like Zambia and Nigeria as they work on regaining positions within international football. He has vowed to shift his entire focus now to the national squad after previously finding himself juggling responsibilities between his club and national duties.
With the impending resumption of the Russian Premier League on March 2, 2024, FC Rostov will be stepping onto the field against rivals Moscow’s Dynamo. Meanwhile, Karpin, once again, has his eyes set on ensuring the Russian national team is ready to excel on the international stage. There’s no denying he leaves behind more than just tactics—he’s left behind his heart within the walls of FC Rostov.