Kuleshov resigns as Russian coach following World Championship fiasco

After reaching the quarter-finals at the World Championship 2013 in Spain, Oleg Kuleshov and Alexander Rymanov were praised for bringing Russian men’s handball forward – these days, after missing the knock-out stage at World Championship 2015 in Qatar, both resigned.

According to a press release of the Russian Handball Federation the executive board in early February unanimously accepted Kuleshov’s and Rymanov’s offer to resign.

Russia ranked 19th at Qatar 2015 and became the second weakest European team only behind World Championship debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Kuleshov had announced his will to resign already after the decisive defeat against Argentina (27:30) in the group phase.

He then said at the federation’s meeting in Moscow: “We did not fulfil our tasks, so me and my assistant coach Alexander Rymanov decided to resign.

"The coaching staff made mistakes, but we suffered the most during our matches in Qatar. After losing the first two matches of the preliminary round we did not find the right words to wake up the team.

"In addition, a huge number of key players were not in their best shape, like Egor Evdokimov or Konstantin Igropulo, who were sick or injured, or Pavel Atman, who lacked playing time before he came to the tournament."

Headed by former national team coach Vladimir Maximov, who currently coaches Russian champions and VELUX EHF Champions League participants Chekhovskie Medvedi, a working group was installed to suggest suitable candidates.

Kuleshov and Rymanov had been appointed as successors of Maximov in spring 2012, after the legendary coach had resigned following the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia.

Russia will play their next matches in the qualification for the EHF EURO 2016 against Ukraine (28 April) and a double-header against Hungary (30 April and 2/3 May).

Then at the latest the new national team coach shall be appointed.

In their next meeting the Executive Board of the Russian Handball Federation is said to also discuss the future of women’s national team coach Evgeny Trefilov.

After missing the main round at the Women’s EHF EURO 2014 and ahead of the World Championship lay-offs against Germany in June, Trefilov is supposed to explain his preparation in person after he was absent at the previous meeting.