1.8 million euros for 4 matches: Karpin is tired of the journalists, so he decided to have a “rotati…

1.8 million euros for 4 matches: Karpin is tired of journalists and has decided to implement a rotation policy. Russia’s head coach, Valeriy Karpin, skipped the pre-match press conference before the match against Trinidad and Tobago. Instead, Viktor Onopko spoke with the media representatives. When asked about the absence of his coach, he said, “Valeriy Georgievich has given too many interviews. We decided to implement a rotation policy.” This decision caused a lot of controversy within the football community, especially considering the current situation of the national team in the current schedule. Karpin continues to work in both the national team and as the manager of Rostov in the Russian Premier League. This requires a strict schedule and constant switching between club and international duties. It’s worth noting that, according to media reports, Karpin’s annual salary for the national team amounts to 1.8 million euros. In 2026, the national team played only four matches in half a year. Such statistics make it difficult for the coaching staff to develop tactical strategies and test the depth of the team’s reserves. Additionally, the financial obligations of the Russian Football Federation are a topic of discussion among fans and analysts. Karpin’s decision to avoid media interviews can be seen as an attempt to reduce the amount of information released before matches. However, in the long term, this could lead to tensions between the coaching staff and journalists. Experts say that regular communication is important for building trust in the team during times when there are no tournament matches, and for maintaining media interest in football. If this practice becomes habitual, the Russian Football Federation may need to reconsider the terms of the contract and establish clear rules regarding media appearances. For Karpin himself, the key task remains to maintain the team’s playing level and find motivation for the players, who’s main goal is to prepare for future qualifying rounds, despite the current schedule constraints.