The main candidates for the 2025 Ballon d’Or have been announced

Russian football has become a field of successes and dramatic moments that have gone down in history thanks to outstanding mentors. They have shaped the unique face of Russian football culture in this discipline, introduced innovations and raised generations of players. Russia’s famous football coaches have contributed significantly to the success of the national clubs, winning prestigious trophies, finishing at the top of international tournaments and strengthening the country’s position on the world stage.

The work of the mentors often remained out of the public eye, but it was these specialists who laid the foundations for the tactical mastery on which the victories of Russian teams are still based today. Their stories are rich in difficult decisions, risky tactical moves and rare but important triumphs.

Valery Gazzaev: the philosophy of victories and titles

Valery Gazzaev began his football career as a striker and played for Spartak (Ordzhonikidze), Dynamo and Lokomotiv (Moscow). His playing career ended in 1986, whereupon his coaching career began. In 1989, Gazzaev took over the management of Dynamo Moscow, where he worked on building a competitive team.

The mentor enjoyed real success at CSKA, which he took over in 2001. Gazzaev relied on a combination of experienced players and young talent. Under his leadership, the club won three Russian championships (2003, 2005, 2006), won the Russian Cup six times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and reached the UEFA Cup final with a historic victory. Gazzaev has worked intensively with players such as Alan Dzagoev, Igor Akinfeev and Yuri Zhirkov, prioritising the individual development of each player.

UEFA Cup winners: a victory that made history

The match against Sporting Portugal in the 2005 UEFA Cup final was a real test for the team. The match was played in Lisbon at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, which put the CSKA players under additional pressure. The famous Russian football coach Gazzaev chose a tactic based on solid defence and fast counter-attacks. Goals from Alexei Berezutsky, Yuri Zhirkov and Vasily Berezutsky brought the long-awaited success.

This victory was an important step for Russian football and proved that the country’s teams are capable of winning prestigious European trophies. Gazzaev focussed not only on winning, but also on developing the club’s infrastructure, including training facilities and a system for training young athletes.

Yuri Syomin: architect of a locomotive dynasty

Yuri Syomin became a symbol of Lokomotiv Moscow, which he managed from the end of the 1980s. In 1986, one of Russia’s most famous coaches began his work with the team, which in those years was overshadowed by the Moscow giants Spartak, Dinamo and CSKA. Born in Orel in 1947, Syomin had previously played for Spartak (Ordzhonikidze), Dynamo (Moscow) and Kairat (Alma-Ata). His footballing experience provided a solid foundation for a successful coaching career.

A key moment in Lokomotiv’s history under Syomin’s leadership was the 2002 season, when the team won the Russian championship for the first time. This success was no accident. In the 2004 season, the club repeated this success, defeating such strong teams as CSKA and Zenit. An important role in these triumphs was played by Dmitry Loskov, who became the team’s main playmaker.

In addition, Lokomotiv achieved significant success in the Russian Cup under Syomin’s leadership, winning six trophies: 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2007 and 2017. These victories have made the club one of the most coveted in national tournaments.

Strategy for success: uniqueness of approach

Syomin is known for his ability to adapt tactics to a particular opponent. In different years he used 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 schemes, which allowed him to find a balance between offensive and defensive actions. He devoted much attention to physical training, where he used innovative training methods to improve players’ stamina and speed.

A special place in Semin’s methodology was given to working with young players. Players such as Dmitriy Sychev, Marat Izmailov and Alexander Samedov developed under his guidance. The mentor was also characterised by his ability to create a microclimate in the team that ensured a high level of motivation among the players. Semin’s contribution as one of the most famous Russian football coaches remains a benchmark for many modern professionals.

Leonid Slutsky: Pragmatist and innovator

Leonid Slutsky, born in Volgograd in 1971, became one of the most innovative coaches of his time. His footballing career began at the Olimpia youth school, but an early injury ended his playing career. However, this did not stop Slutsky from devoting himself fully to coaching.

His work with the Russian national team began in 2015, when the team found itself in a crisis situation. Slutsky was in charge during the qualifiers for Euro 2016, and under his leadership the team won important victories against Sweden and Montenegro to secure their place at the tournament. The main stars of this team were Artyom Dzyuba and Igor Akinfeev, whose play reflected the coach’s tactical ideas.

Reforming the tactics of a famous Russian football coach: What Slutsky is remembered for at ZSKA

Slutsky’s coaching career at ZSKA began in 2009 and became one of the most successful periods of his work. Under his leadership, the team became Russian champions three times (2013, 2014, 2016) and won the Russian Cup twice (2011, 2013).

Slutsky used 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 schemes, which allowed the team to adapt to different styles of play from opponents. Viktor Goncharenko (assistant coach) and analytical tools, which were actively used to prepare for matches, played a major role in the successes. Slutsky’s contribution as one of Russia’s most renowned football coaches reflects his commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Gazzayev, Syomin and Slutsky are prime examples of how a talented coach can dramatically change the face of a football team. Winning national championships, success at international tournaments and influencing the development of young athletes have made them significant figures in the history of the sport. Famous Russian football coaches continue to inspire a new generation of specialists with their professionalism, strategic thinking and unique approach to preparing teams.

Their achievements are not only part of history, but also an important element in the development of Russian football. These mentors have proven that perseverance, discipline and an analytical approach can turn any team into a winner capable of competing at the highest level.

The world of football is not just about powerful shots, precise passes, and incredible goals. It is also steeped in the huge amounts of money that revolve around each professional footballer. Footballers’ salaries are one of the most talked about topics, and it’s no wonder, as the figures often look fantastic. Today, let’s understand what exactly influences players’ earnings, why the amounts vary, and how they are made up.

Factors that affect footballers’ salaries

The figures are influenced by many factors, from the level of play to the marketing value of the athlete. Let’s understand in detail what determines income.

Skills and level of play

World-class footballers earn high salaries because they have unique skills. The technical skills of Lionel Messi, the speed and stamina of Kylian Mbappe, the strategic intelligence of Kevin De Bruyne, or the leadership qualities of Sergio Ramos make them irreplaceable in a team.

A footballer’s income depends not only on his physical abilities, but also on his decision-making skills on the pitch, his discipline, and his ability to interact with his teammates. The higher the level of ability and contribution to the team, the more the club is willing to pay. Details such as participation in international tournaments, experience in important matches, and personal achievements, including individual honours (Golden Ball), are also taken into account.

Popularity and marketing value

Many athletes are paid impressive sums not only for their performances on the pitch, but also because of their popularity. Cristiano Ronaldo is not only a football star, but also the face of many advertising campaigns. The footballer’s fees include not only his salary at the club, but also income from contracts with major brands such as Nike and Coca-Cola. In 2023, his advertising dividends amount to around R4.4 billion, which is more than his salary at Al Nasr. The marketing value can exceed the total revenue many times over.

Region and league

It is no secret that the salaries of footballers in Europe are significantly higher than in other parts of the world. Players in the English Premier League or La Liga earn significantly more than their counterparts in the Russian league. This is due to:

1. The clubs’ high revenues from the sale of TV rights, tickets and fan merchandise with symbols.
2. Extensive sponsorship agreements with global brands.
3. A large and active audience that ensures a constant demand for matches and advertising.
4. A further developed club infrastructure and support from investors.
5. The tax system, which also has an impact on footballers’ salaries, as it is more complex to calculate and requires special tax optimisation.

Salaries of footballers in Russia and Europe

The salaries of footballers in Russia vary greatly depending on the level of the team and the region. For example, players from top clubs such as Zenit or Spartak receive amounts comparable to those in Europe. Most Russian clubs have much lower incomes due to more modest sponsorship opportunities. Main influencing factors:

1. Team level. Players from top clubs earn significantly more than players from lesser-known teams. This is due to the larger budgets and support from sponsors. The salaries of Zenit’s top players can reach 350 to 400 million roubles per year. Serdar Azmoun received about 320 million per year in 2023, including bonuses.
2. Regional differences. The amounts also depend on the region. Clubs from Moscow and St. Petersburg can offer higher amounts than clubs from the regions due to more sponsors and a more developed infrastructure.
3. A player’s contribution to the team. Take Artyom Dzyuba, for example. The footballer’s salary was around 300 million roubles a year, making him one of the highest-paid players in Russia.
4. Popularity and demand. This is especially true for athletes who take part in international matches. Popular players can receive additional bonuses of up to 50 million roubles per year.
5. Sponsorship and advertising revenue. The more opportunities to attract sponsors and advertising contracts, the higher the salary.

Comparison with European salaries

Players in European leagues are not only paid better, but also have more opportunities to increase their income thanks to bonuses and advertising contracts. Gareth Bale’s annual salary at Real Madrid was over 3 billion roubles, while the average salary of a player in the Russian Premier League rarely exceeds 150-200 million. Kylian Mbappe’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain provides for a salary of 2 billion roubles per year until 2023 and performance bonuses of up to 500 million roubles.

How is a footballer’s salary calculated?

A footballer’s salary is made up of several components that make up the total income:

1. The salary is a basic amount that is paid monthly. This is a guaranteed income that the player receives regardless of results.
2. Performance bonuses – additional payments for goals scored, assists and successful matches.
3. Income from advertising – contracts with brand companies can bring in several billion roubles a year.

The highest paid footballers in the world

Let’s take a look at the top 3 highest paid footballers in the world and see what they get paid for:

1. Lionel Messi – his income is more than 12 billion roubles a year, including his salary at Inter Miami and advertising money.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – about 11.5 billion roubles a year. Ronaldo is a brand that generates huge revenues not only on the pitch, but also off it.
3. Neymar – his salary at Paris Saint-Germain is over 9 billion roubles a year, including bonuses and advertising contracts.

Conclusion

Footballers’ salaries depend on many factors: from their ability and popularity to the country and league in which they play. Highly paid athletes are often not only football stars, but also important figures in advertising campaigns, which increases their income many times over. It might be worth thinking about how exactly these factors can be transferred to other professions to increase their income and success.