Premium Liiga runners-up FCI Levadia Tallinn have officially announced the appointment of Estonian specialist Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko as the club’s new head coach.
As reported yesterday, Levadia’s previous manager Curro Torres parted ways with the club after three years in charge, prompting the search for a new leader. Just hours after Torres’ departure was confirmed, Estonian news outlet Õhtuleht reported that Zahovaiko would take over – and today the club made it official.
For the 43-year-old coach, the move marks a return to Estonia’s top flight after a four-year absence. From 2017 until the end of 2021, Zahovaiko was in charge of Paide Linnameeskond, where his greatest achievement came in the 2020 season with a silver-medal finish in the league. In the summer of 2022, he accepted a new challenge abroad, spending a season in Africa with Paide’s partner club Real de Banjul and guiding them to the Gambian league title.
This season, Zahovaiko returned to Estonia and led Levadia’s U17 side to the championship. He now steps up to take charge of the senior team.
“I am truly delighted to take on the role of head coach of FCI Levadia’s first team,” Zahovaiko said. “Every football fan knows that the club’s ambitions and goals have always been high, and with that comes great responsibility.
“The management’s vision and the goals set for us push us out of our comfort zone and motivate all of us to work hard toward a shared objective. Together with the club and its enthusiastic staff, we aim to continue professional work, creating a demanding and united atmosphere in which every player and staff member feels valued and essential, giving energetic momentum to everything we will undertake.
“I would also like to thank the FCI Levadia U17 team from the bottom of my heart – it was a great honor to coach them this past season. Together with the boys, we achieved success in the Estonian championship, winning the U17 Elite League and representing the club successfully internationally. For me, this is an unforgettable and invaluable experience.
“As I take on the duties of head coach of the first team, I am confident that our academy players possess a winning mentality, skills, and great potential, which we can draw upon in the future. I thank the club’s management for the trust, and I cannot wait for our first training session!”
Levadia’s president Viktor Levada acknowledged that the past season fell short of expectations and said a coaching change was necessary to bring “fresh blood” into the club.
“In the early 2000s, when Slava Zahovaiko caused us a lot of trouble in important matches by scoring against Levadia, I wished to see him in our club as a forward – especially with such a powerful surname as Zahovaiko,” the president said. “It reminded me of the late 1990s when Toomas Krõm returned to Estonia and joined Levadia. I joked then that Toomas had to play for Levadia just because of his surname.
“A year ago, Slava joined FCI Levadia U17 and did excellent work. After that, making this decision was easy for me. We promised to support each other and do everything we can to help the club grow and achieve the high goals that are always set for a team like FCI Levadia.
“Welcome, Slava – and strength on our shared path forward!”
Levadia also confirmed that the names of Zahovaiko’s assistant coaches will be announced next week, as the vice-champions look ahead to a new era under fresh leadership.
Source: https://fcilevadia.ee/en/vjatseslav-zahovaiko-becomes-the-new-head-coach-of-fci-levadias-first-team/
