To many people’s surprise, 35-year-old Igor Morozov has left Kuressaare after three years. Morozov, the assistant manager of the Estonian U-21 National Team, was the right-hand man to Ukrainian specialist Roman Kozhukhovskyi. Together, they led Kuressaare to its best-ever league finish—5th place in the 2022 season.
After five years in charge, Kozhukhovskyi departed from Kuressaare at the end of the season, and the club appointed a new manager, Sander Post, the current Estonian U-21 National Team manager. Post has decided to end the collaboration with Igor Morozov. In an interview with a local newspaper, Morozov stated, “I would say that the option of continuing was in the air, and I would have liked to continue for the players’ sake. At the same time, football life is like this. This team, our internal climate, and the players have always motivated me, and it was difficult to leave because of them.”
Kozhukhovskyi expressed surprise at Morozov’s decision not to continue but acknowledged that the management has the right to make such choices, as they are responsible for the club’s strategic direction. “Igor knows all the nuances of the team that would be necessary for a future head coach,” Kozhuhovski noted. “He understands the players and the dynamics within the club. He possesses all the details that are crucial for effective work.”
Priit Penu, a board member of Kuressaare, mentioned that new head coach Sander Post wants to choose a new assistant coach himself. “Since the club has been satisfied with Roman Kozhuhovski’s work, it’s clear that it has been a team effort. We are also pleased with Igor’s contributions. He imparted many valuable skills and strategies to the players, particularly on the defensive side. I believe that a significant part of Roman’s success can be attributed to Igor,” Penu added.
Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/kuressaare-otsustas-koostoo-morozoviga-lopetada