Russia appoints new coach

Russia appoints new coach

The Russian Handball Union has voted for a new coach to succeed Vladimir Maximov.

If the Russian Ministry of Sports agrees, Oleg Kuleshov will become new head coach of the Russian men’s team. The board of the Russian Handball Union voted for the 37 year old former national team player in an Extraordinary Meeting.

Kuleshov and Alexander Rymanov were the final two in the vote for the position as the successor of coaching legend Vladimir Maximov, who resigned after EHF EURO 2012.

In the end the casting vote of President Boris Aleshin was decisive, with Rymanov and Kuleshov equal on three votes each.

Highly successful playing career

Kuleshov played 123 international matches for Russia and was European champion in 1996, world champion in 1997, EHF EURO silver medallist in 2000 and bronze medallist at the Olympic Games in 2004 – the last medal Russia won at a major championship.

On a club level Kulechov started his career at Kautik Volgograd and after three Russian championship titles he left for Germany, where he played for SC Magdeburg (1997 – 2007) and VfL Gummersbach (2007-2008).

The most successful part of the playmaker’s career was at Magdeburg, where he won the EHF Champions League in 2002, EHF Cup winner in 2001 and 2007, EHF Trophy winner in 2001 and 2002 and German champion in 2001.

After several injuries Kuleshov had to quit his playing career.

Coach in German league

Since the start of this season Kuleshov has been coach of HF Springe in Germany, the current leader of the third league, division north.

If the sport ministry agrees, Kuleshov will build up a coaching team including Igor Lewschin (a former goalkeeper) and Stanislav Kulinchenko, current director of the club Kuban Krasnodar.