Director of Magnitogorsk “Metallurgy” Alexei Zhloba said that during the search for a new sports director, the choice was made in favor of the students and compatriots of the club, therefore this position was occupied by Evgeny Biryukov .
On Friday, former Metallurg hockey player Biryukov was introduced as the new sports director of Magnitogorsk. Previously, this position was held by Sergei Gomolyako.
“I hope that Evgeniy’s career in this position will be just as long and no less successful.
— Why did you decide to part ways with Sergei Gomolyako? And how would you assess the new sports director?
— I’ve already talked about Sergei, but I’ll say it again. Yes, we started the season badly. We talked with Gomolyako and made a mutual decision to leave. As for Biryukov, he is a Magnitogorsk man at heart. “Metallurg” has always adhered to the policy that our students and compatriots are considered first for positions. Evgeniy has an analytical mind and knows the world of hockey. The decision was easy.
— In an interview he said that he was tired of hockey and wanted to rest.
“I don’t like to repeat myself, but we made a mutual decision.” That’s it.
— According to some reports, Sergei Mozyakin was one of those who influenced the decision to fire Gomolyako.
– These are just rumors and speculation. Sergei Mozyakin has nothing to do with the first team. It is committed to long-term development; a team of children and young people work under his direction. He has no influence on these decisions.
— You designate a person with no experience who will study within the club. What was the advantage of hiring someone with no experience? And there’s no one to learn from.
— They rightly said that a championship team sets the trends. Including this one. There is no job that cannot be taught to a sane person. Evgeny is exactly like that. We don’t trust anyone, especially the position of sports director of the club. We have experience from last season, namely me. The club’s skills remained, they did not disappear with the departure of Gomolyako. There are contacts with all the agents, they have not gone anywhere.
— Andrey Razin has held several positions at Severstal. Maybe Evgeny will learn from him?
— Even last year, all questions regarding signatures were answered by more than one person. The coach’s opinion was taken into account. Nothing has changed here for us. We will continue to disseminate the general principles, we will not break anything,” reports the correspondent according to Zhloba’s words.
Biryukov played for Metallurg from 2005 to 2020 and won the Gagarin Cup twice. Last season he became the first hockey player in the history of the KHL to play a thousand games in the championship. In total, he has 1001 matches and 149 (24+125) points.
During the offseason, the 38-year-old hockey player retired and joined the coaching staff of Salavat Yulaev, with whom he spent the last four seasons. On Friday, it became known that Biryukov left the technical staff of the Ufa team.
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I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
