Vladimir Gerasimov has been confirmed as the new Head Coach of FC Rossiyanka. Just a few weeks ago he was celebrating successful promotion to the Russian Premier League with FC Kuban and has since been considering various contract offers and enquiries which he has received from clubs in the Russian Premier League and abroad. At only 31 years of age, most would have expected Gerasimov to continue his playing career, but he has decided to make the first step in his managerial career. This certainly is a decision which holds risks for Gerasimov as he moves from the relative stability of being a professional player under a long term contract and the completely different world of the manager and the different type of pressure and demands which are part of it.
Vladimir Gerasimov takes over at the current Russian Women’s Premier League Champions and FA Cup Winners, FC Rossiyanka. The obvious target would be for the team to defend its domestic league title and cup, but the club has more ambitious plans and they are setting out to do well in the UEFA Women’s Cup (the Women’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions’ League) and the appointment of Gerasimov is a key step in the club’s plans. Gerasimov is expected to confirm the backroom staff which he has selected to work under him.
Gerasimov has over the years dedicated time to enhancing his coaching knowledge in preparation for the time when he has to make the transition into football management. He will be able to draw on his extensive experience of working under very well known and established coaches in various countries and with various styles. Some of the copaches which he has worked under include CSKA Moscow, Torpedo Moscow, Krylya Sovetov, Saturn and National Team coach Alexander Tarhanov, CSKA Sofia, Cherno More and Bulgarian Under-21 National Team Coach Alexander Stankov, Himki and Kuban coach Pavel Yakovenko who is a student of Dynamo Kiev and Ukraine legend Valeri Lobanovski, former Bulgarian World Cup National Team coach Georgi Vassilev who also won many League titles with Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia as well as reaching the German FA Cup Final with Union Berlin.