Yury Kovtun
Encyclopedia
Yuri Mikhailovich Kovtun (born 5 January 1970 in Azov
) is a retired Russia
n football defender, well-known as 90's Russia national football team
player, as well as Dynamo Moscow
and Spartak Moscow
stopper. As a manager, he was working during 3 seasons for FC MVD Rossii Moscow
.
n championship where they unexpectedly promoted to 8th place. Kovtun was impressive during the season so two top teams were interested in him at the same time, it's Dynamo
and Spartak Moscow
. In 1993, Kovtun chose Dynamo Moscow and was their key player for years, until his move to Spartak in 1999.
While the only Kovtun's honour during 6 years in Dynamo was Russian Cup in 1995, he could get 3 titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001 after joining Spartak. Moreover, he took part in numerous UEFA Champions League
games and found himself regular Russian national football team player.
50 times, scoring 2 goals. Most notable moments of his international career were long shot goal to Yugoslavia
during 2002 World Cup qualifier
and own goal in 0–1 away loss to Iceland
Euro 2000 qualifying. He was a part of Russian squad in the Euro 96 and World Cup 2002 finals. Kovtun was sent off in Euro 96 for a lunge at Germany
's Dieter Eilts
.
. FC MVD advanced to Russian First Division under his supervision.
8 Jun 2009, Kovtun resigned from FC MVD manager position and was replaced by Vladimir Eshtrekov
Azov
-External links:** *...
) is a retired Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n football defender, well-known as 90's Russia national football team
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
player, as well as Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
and Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
stopper. As a manager, he was working during 3 seasons for FC MVD Rossii Moscow
FC MVD Rossii Moscow
FC MVD Rossii is a Russian football club from Moscow, founded in 2007. It represents the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Historically the ministry was represented by FC Dynamo Moscow, but Dynamo is now not directly dependent on MVD. Still, several players on the 2008 FC MVD roster played for...
.
Playing career
Kovtun's career started in minor Russian club Luch Azov in 1988. Then he proceed his career as professional player in FC SKA Rostov-na-Donu and FC Rostselmash Rostov-on-Don. In 1992, Rostselmash and Kovtun starred in first RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n championship where they unexpectedly promoted to 8th place. Kovtun was impressive during the season so two top teams were interested in him at the same time, it's Dynamo
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
and Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
. In 1993, Kovtun chose Dynamo Moscow and was their key player for years, until his move to Spartak in 1999.
While the only Kovtun's honour during 6 years in Dynamo was Russian Cup in 1995, he could get 3 titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001 after joining Spartak. Moreover, he took part in numerous UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
games and found himself regular Russian national football team player.
International career
Kovtun played for Russian international teamRussia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
50 times, scoring 2 goals. Most notable moments of his international career were long shot goal to Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
during 2002 World Cup qualifier
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....
and own goal in 0–1 away loss to Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
Euro 2000 qualifying. He was a part of Russian squad in the Euro 96 and World Cup 2002 finals. Kovtun was sent off in Euro 96 for a lunge at Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
's Dieter Eilts
Dieter Eilts
Dieter Eilts was an acclaimed German footballer and was last the trainer of Hansa Rostock. His nickname was the Alemão of East Frisia, for his similarity with to Brazilian midfielder Alemão...
.
Strong and weak sides
Kovtun's strong points as defender always was great tackling, tight marking of opponents and good heading skills. The main weakness of his skills at all times was low pace and acceleration. Another drawback from the lack of speed was that he often had to play too dirty so he could easily gain yellow card or even being sent off (he holds Russian record for amount of bookings).Current activity
During 2005, Spartak's veteran couldn't gain first team place and most of the season played for reserves. In January 2006 he left Spartak Moscow for just relegated into Russian First Division Alania Vladikavkaz. He retired in 2007 and became a manager for FC MVD Rossii MoscowFC MVD Rossii Moscow
FC MVD Rossii is a Russian football club from Moscow, founded in 2007. It represents the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Historically the ministry was represented by FC Dynamo Moscow, but Dynamo is now not directly dependent on MVD. Still, several players on the 2008 FC MVD roster played for...
. FC MVD advanced to Russian First Division under his supervision.
8 Jun 2009, Kovtun resigned from FC MVD manager position and was replaced by Vladimir Eshtrekov
Vladimir Eshtrekov
Vladimir Khazrailovich Eshtrekov is a Russian football manager and former Soviet international player. He played 163 games in the USSR championships and scored 17 goals.-International career:...
Honours
- 1999 2000 2001 Russian Premier LeagueRussian Premier LeagueThe Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
- 1995 2003 Russian Cup