Petrovic Says Replacing Karpin in Russia National Team Is Pointless

Former footballer and current coach Zeljko Petrovic assessed Valery Karpin’s work as head coach of the Russia national team. “There’s no point in replacing him: he knows the players, he knows how everything works. He’s right to bring in young guys—sometimes it’s necessary,” RB Sport quotes Petrovic as saying. Karpin has been in charge of Russia for the fifth year. Since February 2022, the Russians have not played any official matches. During this period, the team under his leadership has lost only once—0–2 to Chile in Sochi in November 2025. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!