He'll look for good things: why Marko Nikolic decided to change Russia to Greece
CSKA head coach Marko Nikolic has agreed on a contract with the Greek AEK, Russian and Serbian media reported. The 45-year-old Serbian specialist is expected to sign a two-year contract. The appointment will be announced next week. Nikolic took over CSKA in July 2024, and his contract with the Moscow club is valid for another year. So why did the Serbian specialist decide to leave, despite the fact that he recently won the Russian Cup with the team, and promised to fight for the championship next season?
Not only the "diamond"
The main football sensation of the summer was not even the appointment of Valery Karpin to Dynamo, but the awol of Marko Nikolic, which, however, he was entitled to according to his contract. One of the versions of the coach's imminent separation from CSKA is that Nikolic was unhappy with CSKA's winter transfers. That's why Alerrandro looked so bad in the spring and didn't play much, while Villagra didn't play at all. But it doesn't seem to be the case here, and certainly not only that.
Marko Nikolic came to CSKA from Shabab Al-Ahli, which, under Marko, took second place in the UAE championship. By and large, it was removed from there. Yes, by agreement of the parties, but still because of the poor result by the standards of the club.
Nikolic was in a sad state at the time, but this spring he took off sharply — he took the Cup and third place in the RPL, although it seemed that neither one nor the other was possible, and without the help of winter transfers, he simply made the most of the opportunities of his players.
"If it weren't for Krasnodar's championship, I would have named Nikolic the best coach of this season," Oleg Ivanov, a former midfielder for the Russian national team, told Izvestia. — He did a great job at the winter training camp, rebuilt the whole game, and in the spring the army team was unstoppable. Not a single defeat! First, they beat Spartak and Dynamo in the fight for bronze, and then they won the Russian Cup. It's not just the "diamond" that everyone is talking about, although I like this scheme. But, most importantly, now at CSKA, everyone knows exactly what to do on the field, where to run, and who to insure. For example, Kislyak immediately goes low on defense. Pyanic, playing in the "ten" position, shifts to the right and then to the left, creating a double flank. He pulls the players towards himself and searches for free zones with cutting passes.
And it seemed that the situation was as favorable as possible for Nikolic: the love of fans, managers and players, in addition to summer training camps, where there is a chance to wait for newcomers. However, there is a but. Firstly, there is a feeling that Marko could hardly have done anything more interesting for the second season - in the end, someone will crack the diamond, and Kislyak from the defensive position will stop turning over difficult matches. Perhaps Nikolic's peak in CSKA has happened right now. And he leaves at this peak.
And then there's the offer from AEK, which is much more interesting in terms of money. European cups, a fatter contract, and a family nearby. The self-signing of a contract is simply ridiculous for a coach of this level (€600 thousand, because CSKA and Marko climbed into the top three of the RPL). So why not?
—There was nothing in Nikolic's behavior or words that hinted at his possible departure from CSKA," Danil Krugovoy, defender of the army and the Russian national team, said in an interview with Izvestia. — I think he will decide where it is better for him. I don't want him to leave, especially since Marco promised to win the championship next season. We are all set up for this.
Joint statement
I remember Paolo Vanoli, who was fired from Torino the other day, immediately rushed to Italy after winning the Russian Cup at the head of Spartak. For the same reason, I felt that there would never be a better moment. He earned a reputation and left as a winning coach. Nikolic has also made the most of everything: an overperformance in 2025, European cups, a family, a new contract. He broke the league and can get better terms.
And, most importantly, Marko Nikolic is in some sense a dreamer or a careerist. He had a dream of working for a big European club. After all, Marco will be 46 years old this summer. When else can you fulfill your dreams? A great career requires time and successful cases in European competitions. And maybe this is the last chance for Marco.
One can understand those who accuse Nikolic of betrayal, especially if the accusers turn out to be football players or even more loyal fans. Perhaps someone will blame the CSKA bosses for everything, who did not keep the coach, although they could have extended the contract, given stunning conditions or painted a powerful prospect for the near future.
It seems that Nikolic's potential departure is a development that could have been foreseen. But it is unlikely to prevent it.
"In the near future, the club and Marko will issue an official communication in order to stop the emergence of new gossip and speculation, if possible," wrote Kirill Breido, CSKA communications director. — We understand that in the absence of information, various versions are being put forward, in particular, both about the financial component of the issue and about alleged conflicts from within. Therefore, even before any official publications about Marco's future, we consider it necessary to close this issue: Marco has excellent relations with all the top management of the club, and yesterday and the day before yesterday, Marco had conversations with each of them. There was no talk of any ultimatums and never was."
In the 2024/25 season, the army team led by Nikolic took third place in the Russian championship and won the Russian Cup.
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