MOSCOW, November 17 (R-Sport) - Lokomotiv Moscow president Olga Smorodskaya has defended under-fire coach Slaven Bilic after a run of seven winless games, and denied reports of infighting at the Russian Premier League club.
Bilic and his team have been the target of hefty criticism in the Russian media, and there have also been calls for Lokomotiv’s owner Russian Railways to replace Smorodskaya with the team languishing eighth in the table.
“There is no conflict between me and Slaven Bilic, nor will there be,” Smorodskaya said in a defiant statement on the club website.
She also rejected reports she interfered in the Croatian's tactics.
“I’ve never tried to teach anyone set-pieces or free-kicks and never will, especially not a person so respected by me, an outstanding professional. It’s nonsense and heresy.”
Smorodskaya insisted Lokomotiv were making progress.
“That people have turned against us shows once again that we are on the right path. They are trying to scare us, trying to knock us off our chosen course, to sow nervousness. I believe this will not happen,” she said.
Lokomotiv appointed Bilic in May, and he took over after coaching Croatia at Euro 2012 on a pledge to instill “character” in the side.
Bilic replaced Portuguese coach Jose Couceiro, who was fired after the team finished seventh and failed to qualify for European competition.
Couceiro blasted team management after he left, claiming Lokomotiv are run by people who do not understand the game and transfer policy led a life of its own.
Lokomotiv’s scouting service is headed by Kirill Kotov, who is the husband of Smorodskaya's daughter Lyudmila.
The team next face coachless Krylya Sovetov on Monday.
