Lokomotiv Moscow boss Markus Gisdol has quit the club in response to Russia’s invasion on Ukraine ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The German manager resigned from his position after only four months at the helm of the club releasing a personal statement to that effect.
He was brought over to the club by current Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick while he was at the club as the sporting director.
The German has over two decades of experience as a football manager but Lokomotiv was his first spell outside Germany.
In the four months he was at Lokomotiv, Gisdol only oversaw 12 matches. However, he was on the route to being fired as his tenure was riddled with losses.
Gisdol told BILD after resigning from his position at the Russian club: “I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression.
“For me, football coaching is the best job in the world. But I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression in the middle of Europe.
“That is not in line with my values, which is why I have resigned from my position as coach of Lokomotiv Moscow with immediate effect.
“I can’t stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometers away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people.
“That is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of it.”
Sheriff Tiraspol manager joins Ukrainian forces as Russian invasion continues
Elsewhere, Sheriff Tiraspol boss Yuriy Vernydub has left his job to join the civilian task force on the front lines in Ukraine as Russia continues their invasion on the nation.
Vernydub became Sheriff’s head coach in December 2020 and won the Moldovan league in his first season at the club.
In 2021, he led the team to the Champions League by winning four qualification play-off matches against the likes of Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb.
Sheriff Tiraspol’s participation in the Champions League was the first time a Moldovan club had achieved such a feat.
The Ukrainian manager of the Moldovan team enlisted in the Ukrainian army after his own country was invaded by Russian forces.
Vernydub is now on the streets of Ukraine fighting alongside the military just months after beating Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League an incredible story in Europe this season.
Sheriff Tiraspol went on to face Braga in the UEFA Europa League after narrowly missing out on qualification from the group stages of the Champions League.
And only days after leading the minnow club from Moldova to such a grand stage, Vernydubb has joined up with his nation’s military to fight for their sovereignty.
Sheriff Tiraspol’s captain, Gustavo Dulanto, a Peruvian central defender, posted: “May God protect my Yuri, who has gone to Ukraine.”
