Russian Football Association Appoints Igor Larionov as New Coach, Replacing Roman Rotenberg in Position
Fresh Perspective for SKA St. Petersburg: Igor Larionov Steps In
After a disappointing season, SKA St. Petersburg has a new leader – none other than hockey legend Igor Larionov! The board of directors confirmed the appointment, effectively ending Roman Rotenberg's tenure.
The change came as the board, dissatisfied with the coaching staff's performance, decided to seek fresh blood.
Rotenberg, who led the team since 2022, played a significant role in the team's development and the growth of youth hockey. He also stepped down from his position in the board of directors.
In the past week, RBC Group reported mismatched results under Rotenberg's leadership, leading to his dismissal.
Larionov, a twice Olympic champion and three-time Stanley Cup winner, will soon step onto the ice with SKA. The details of his contract remain undisclosed.
Known for his sportsmanship and tactical prowess, Larionov started his coaching journey with the Russian junior national team. After a stint with the Olympic team and working with the main team in several tournaments, he headed Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod briefly.
His tenure at Torpedo came to an end in 2025, following their early exit from the KHL playoffs. With SKA finishing seventh in the Western Conference and Torpedo at eighth, both teams failed to advance past the first round.
Now, Larionov aims to leverage his wealth of experience to propel SKA to new heights. With the spring of a champion under his belt,SKA fans are hopeful for a victorious future!
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Sneak Peek into Igor Larionov's Coaching HistoryLarionov began his foray into coaching in 2022, leading the Russian junior national team. Since then, he's worked with the Olympic team, the main team in several tournaments, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, and now, SKA St. Petersburg. Despite his brief stint at Torpedo, Larionov fostered a strong coaching philosophy, harnessing his NHL knowledge and adaptive skills to develop players.
Sources:1. RBC Group2. Sports Illustated3. TASS News Agency4. SKA Press Service5. Telegraph UK6. Sportsnet Canada
Join us in our Telegram channel "RBC Sport" to share your thoughts on Larionov's appointment and discuss the future of SKA St. Petersburg!
After a brief stint at Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Larionov, the hockey legend and two-time Olympic champion, is now set to make his mark on SKA St. Petersburg's football team, with his vast knowledge in sports and adaptive skills promising to develop the players.
In anticipation of exciting changes, SKA fans eagerly await Larionov's tactical moves on the football field, hoping for a victorious future under his guidance. Join us in our Telegram channel "RBC Sport" to share your thoughts on Larionov's appointment and the future of SKA's football team!
