All about Anzhi

By David Lee Wheatley

Recent upheaval at cash-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala left them in a transitional state when they can least afford it, with the new league season in its infancy and the Europa League on the horizon.

Legendary Dutchman Guus Hiddink chose to step down from his position as head coach on 22nd July, fuelling speculation of an imminent move to Barcelona, who were looking to replace Tito Vilanova at the same time. Former Real Madrid and Netherlands leader Hiddink insisting the timing was coincidental and so it proved when Gerardo Martino snapped up the job in Catalonia a day after Hiddink’s announcement.

The 66-year-old signed a new one-year contract in June, but sensationally decided his time at the club was up after two winless fixtures at the start of the campaign.

Having only just signed up as assistant coach at the club shortly after leaving his place on Manchester United’s backroom staff in June, Rene Meulensteen finds himself in full control of team affairs following Hiddink’s surprise departure.

Despite being a relatively young club (founded 1991), Anzhi harbour ambitions to conquer Europe and missing out on a Champions League spot once again is not an option. The new man at the helm certainly has the tools at his disposal to succeed, with big-name stars such as Kokorin, Ewerton, Willian, and Eto’o on the payroll. In addition, former English Premier League players Chris Samba, Yuri Zhirkov and Lassana Diarra impose their vast experience on the line-up.

Meulensteen, 49, managed the senior sides of Al-Ittihad, Al-Sadd and Brondby previously, plus the youth and reserve teams at Manchester United. However, this latest appointment presents arguably his hardest task yet in attempting to please the billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, who took ownership of the organisation in 2011.

Failing to win anything since the Russian second-flight title two years before the change in the boardroom, Anzhi are desperate to add silverware to their trophy cabinet and Meulensteen will be expected to lead the side from deepest Dagestan to significantly greater heights following a third-place Premier League finish last time round.

His first game in sole charge resulted in a 1-1 tie with Krylya Sovetov; Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o handing Anzhi the lead on 59 minutes prior to being pegged back by the minnows 13 minutes later.

Kerimov insists the newly-installed head coach is no interim appointment, instead entrusting him (at least publicly) with the job of hauling Anzhi up to the very pinnacle of European club football.

For the team that trains near Moscow and flies in to Makhachkala for home games due to security concerns, it’s crucial that the millions spent on new recruits begin paying dividends for the passionate people of the North Caucasas region.

Meulensteen has been afforded the chance to finally step out of Fergie’s all-encompassing shadow if he pulls it off, after five years working directly under Sir Alex with the Manchester United first-team. One thing is for sure; he’ll never get a better opportunity.

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