Lokomotiv Semin-less?

According to Lokomotiv club President Olga Smorodskaya and sport director Yury Belous, Lokomotiv Moscow are already planning for the next season. Sadly for us Loko fans, there is a huge possibility that our beloved Yury Semin won't be part of such plans. Actually in recent days rumours have intensified and as many names have been linked with the Lokomotiv post, many have been stating that the future of Yury Semin is already sealed. Unfortunately such future lies away from Moscow. Circumstances haven't helped either as the recent sack of Valery Gazzev from Dynamo Kiev fueled rumours that Semin will be leaving Moscow for Kiev rather sooner than later. Many believe that the person behind Semin's departure is Olga Smorodskaya. Actually from what we've seen and had been said, it's easy to conclude that the two never enjoyed a good relationship. Although Lokomotiv were aiming higher than the fifth place they are currently at, it must be said that Semin is the least one to blame and so no one can declare that Semin will be sacked due to poor performance. Signing a striker and a winger in the form of Pavlyuchenko or Milevskiy and Izmailov respectively were his priority but for a reason and another the Lokomotiv hierarchy failed to satisfy his demands and thus Semin had to work with a sub-standard Dramane Traore and an unmotivated Peter Odemwingie. A pity. For sure you can't compare the squads of Zenit, CSKA, Spartak, Rubin Kazan and even Dynamo Moscow with that of us. While the 5 aforementiond spent heavily in the summer, in particular Zenit, Spartak and Rubin, we only brought in Shishkin for 0.5mln euros and Loskov. Don't get me wrong, they were both good buys but what Lokomotiv really needed was a striker and unfortunately no one came.

Anyways, although everyone in the circus is rebuffing all rumours, it is no surprise that the Dynamo Kiev president Ihor Surkis would welcome back Semin with open arms and with all the names circulating around, I believe that for sure there's is something going on. Sadly I believe that next year our beloved Yury Semin won't be there. Anyways, as everything in life, should the rumours come to fruition, Lokomotiv will have to move on and make sure to bring in a manager who is competent for a post of a big club like ours. As aforementioned many names have been circulating around and thus in the next paragraphs I will be listing some potential names who could take over Lokomotiv if Semin does leave.

1. The most favourite by the media to replace Yury Semin is Spartak Nalchik's Yury Krasnozhan. Yury, whose playing career includes spells at the same Nalchik and Avtozapchast Baksan was installed as Spartak Nalchik's manager back in 2004. Despite lack of finanacial backing and far from a decent infrastructure, he managed to lead Spartak first to the Premier Division and then subsequently helping them to beat drops in succession. Nowadays, 6 years on, his club challenging our team for a place in the Europa League. Although the squad at his disposal (with all due respect to Nalchik) isn't half good as Loko's on paper, he managed to create a strong unit enough to lead the Russian Premier League for six weeks in succession. Not bad at all!! However, although what he did at Nalchik is truly admiring, I truly fear that Krasnozhan could be another Rashid Rakhimov - that is someone who do well with an average side but fail to get going with a big side like ours.

2. Should Semin leave, Lokomotiv fans believe that the vacant post should be given to Vladimir Maminov, Semin's current assistant manager. Apart from the fact that Maminov have been around like no one else, 18 years to be exact, he learned his trade from Yury Semin and thus the Loko fans will be happy to see a bit of "Semin's" in Maminov's approach. Another point which back Maminov is that in the short period he managed Lokomotiv, the red-green did pretty well and this signifies that although he is just 36 years old, the coach will be respected by the players. Moreover during that short stint he showed that he can handle pressure as his 2-1 victory versus arch-rivals Spartak was the highest point of his short tenure which included 3 wins and a draw from 5 matches.

3. Viktor Goncharenko, famous for being the youngest ever manager (31 years) to lead a team in the final group stage of the UEFA Champions League, is another manager being linked with the Lokomotiv post. Viktor Goncharenko, who manages Belarussian powerhouse BATE Borisov is already a proven winner as at just 33 years of age he already achieved a thing or two. The Khoiniki-born manager, whose playing career was cut short due to a horrific injury he suffered when he was just 25 years, took the reigns of BATE Borisov in 2007. During those years, Viktor Goncharenko, who learned his trade from Belarussian specialists Yuri Puntus and Igor Kriushenko, lead the outfit from Borisov to two Belarussian Leagues and one super cup. Morevoer another one is practically on the way as they currently enjoy 6 points gap over 2nd place Shakhtyor Soligorsk with 2 matches to go. In addition, BATE Borisov are doing particulary well in the Europa League as they are topping a group which includes Dynamo Kiev and AZ Alkmaar. Could result to be quite a good coach for Lokomotiv.

4. Another one mentioned was Valery Gazzaev. The former CSKA Moscow tactician, who won 4 Russian Championships, 4 Russian Cups and a UEFA Cup isn't liked by the Lokomotiv fans and thus I believe that it will be a huge foul if Olga Smorodskaya chooses to install Valery as the one to replace Semin.

5. Slavoljub Muslin was an another manager which was put into the mix. The Serbian manager, who managed Lokomotiv back in 2006 is currently without a club and he stated that he will be eager to return to Lokomotiv in order to finish the business. This because in that single year Muslin failed to bring any silverware to Lokomotiv, even if at one point in time he lead Lokomotiv to an 18-match unbeaten streak. Recall that Muslin was sacked because after leading Lokomotiv to the summit of the Russian Premier League for much of 2006, in October Loko's form suffered and recorded some indifferent results which culminated in the elimination in UEFA Cup's first round to Belgian side S.V. Zulte Waregem and the surrender of the league position to CSKA Moscow. Although he is a fan favourite after Semin, I don't think that Muslin will be a good choice due to recent poor peformances with various clubs.

What are your preferences?

Speaking for myself, obviously I would prefer if Yury Semin remains here but should he leave, my first preference is Vladimir Maminov. Otherwise I believe that the job should be given to Viktor Goncharenko.