Zinetula Bilyaletdinov: It was Putin’s decision, and I felt I couldn’t refuse taking charge of Russian team

Today in the building of JSC Tatneft Ak Bars ex-head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov celebrated changing the club for the national team.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the Tatneft CEO Shafagat Takhautdinov.

Bilyaletdinov admitted that he is experiencing discrepant emotions in reference with his transition to another position.

«On one hand it is a good promotion, on the other, I’m losing a lot. Tatarstan, Kazan, my team became a family for me. What is done in Tatarstan for sport and what has been done for me was just above any praise.

«It is very difficult to leave the club, but it is necessary to overcome it. The question was solved at the level of Putin and Minnikhanov, and and I just could not refuse in such a situation. This decision must be made, and I accepted it,» quotes the coach Tatar-Inform.

The contract between the new head coach of the Russian national team and the Hockey Federation of Russia will be signed on June 27 at the conference hall of the Luzhniki stadium, according to the official FHR website.