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Anzhi president decides to optimise football club’s expenditures

The president of the Makhachkala-based football club Anzhi, Suleiman Kerimov
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, August 7 (Itar-Tass) - The president of the Makhachkala-based football club Anzhi, Suleiman Kerimov, made the decision to optimise the team’s expenditures after his meeting with Dagestan’s President Ramazan Abdulatipov, the latter’s spokesperson Magomedbek Akhmedov told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday, August 5.

“The President of the republic met with Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov to discuss optimisation plans for the club. The President and Kerimov discussed how to assess the club’s activities in general and its play in particular,” Akhmedov said.

He believes that the reshuffle in Anzhi will bolster its development. “This situation should not raise serious concerns because optimisation was necessary. I do not think it is connected in any way with Kerimov’s financial losses. The most likely reason is that some funds were not used effectively. Reshuffles and changes in Anzhi will have a positive effect on its development,” the spokesperson said.

Akhmedov stressed that Anzhi is “a social project in the first place.” “Hundreds of boys across the republic are fond of football and many talented players are training at the Anzhi Academy. The President believes it is right for the club to focus on local trainees rather than top foreign players,” he said.

The spokesperson said that the head of the republic considers Anzhi a successful project. “The result is obvious. Anzhi was third in last year’s football championship in Russia, made it to the National Cup finals and played successfully in the European League. This is a very successful and interesting project. The President provides all possible support to the club’s management and football players. Anzhi is a brand no one is going to discard,” Akhmedov said.

It was announced earlier in the day that the Anzhi management had made the decision to draft a new long-term development strategy for the club. The club’s budget will be cut to prioritise the development of its academy.