MOSCOW – Vyacheslav Bykov resigned as the head coach of CSKA Moscow after five years. Assistant Igor Zakharkin also resigned, but both will remain in charge of the Russian national team.
 
“We want to focus on the preparation of the Russian national team including the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver,” Bykov said to Komsomolskaya Pravda. “We have a lot of work to do and we have to watch many candidates. This requires a huge amount of time and is really not compatible with working in a pro club.”

Bykov denied rumours about CSKA's financial problems and that offers from other clubs were the reason for his resignation. According to media reports, the coaching tandem is being linked to Salavat Yulayev Ufa, the winner of the KHL regular season, who surprisingly lost to Avangard Omsk in the first round of the playoffs.

CSKA president and coaching legend Viktor Tikhonov criticized the sudden departure and also denied that the club faces financial problems. “I left the team in the hands of the coaches and left the door open, and instead of gratitude we have the current situation,” Tikhonov was quoted in Sport-Express.  

The club owner and co-investor confirmed their financial commitment for the upcoming season, claiming that there are ongoing talks with new potential sponsors. CSKA made the KHL playoffs, but they were swept by Dynamo Moscow in the second round.

Bykov, who played for CSKA in the 80s, became the successor of Tikhonov as the CSKA head coach in 2004. In 2006 he replaced Vladimir Krikunov as the head coach of the Russian national team, and led Team Russia to the 2008 World Championship gold, and to the bronze medal at the 2007 World Championship. The gold in 2008 was the first World Championship title for Russia in 15 years.