March 4 – Eight foreign players plus German manager Daniel Farke, who was in the job for just six weeks, have quit Russian Premier League club Krasnodar in a continuing exodus since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Krasnodar said the eight players asked for their contracts to be suspended but not cancelled, so they could live and train elsewhere.
Farke (pictured), the former manager of English Premier League club Norwich, quit on Wednesday along with his assistants without overseeing a single game. Currently, the club are sixth in the Russian Premier League, four points adrift in the race for the European spots.
No reason was given for Farke’s departure but he told Kicker magazine: “The current political development and the associated request from our children, wives, families and friends to come home and the loss of all sporting perspectives have now led to this well-considered decision.
“It was very difficult for us, because we were received very warmly from day one. We formed a great community with different nationalities in a very short time, who wanted to pursue sporting goals together. With joy and fun. Unfortunately, the serious side of life has now caught up with us.”
Krasnodar is backed by wealthy businessman Sergei Galitsky and played in the Champions League group stage last season. Airport closures in southern Russia following the invasion of Ukraine meant Krasnodar couldn’t play a scheduled league fixture last week.
Farke’s contrast was due to run until the summer of 2024. Earlier this week, his fellow German Markus Gisdol resigned as Lokomotiv Moscow head coach, telling Bild: “I can’t stand at the training ground in Moscow and coach the players, ask them to be professional when a few kilometres away there are orders given that brings suffering to the people of a whole country.”
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