Vladimir Krikunov takes charge of Ak Bars Kazan

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk head coach Vladimir Krikunov has taken charge of Ak Bars, according to the club’s official website.

The 61-year-old honoured coach of Russia and Belarus will become successor to Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, who left the Kazan club for the Russian national team. Sports.ru earlier reported that Krikunov was the number one candidate for this position.

Krikunov had already coached Ak Bars from 1999 to 2001. The contract has been signed for 3 years.

Under Krikunov his previous club Neftekhimik have made it into the KHL play-offs three times and reached the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals once. He has also won gold of the 2004-05 Russian league with Dynamo Moscow, the 1996 European Champions Cup, and the bronze medals of the 2005 World Championship with Russia national team.