Valery Karpin is a prominent Estonian-Russian footballer and manager, born in 1969.
He has been honored as a Master of Sports of Russia, recognizing his contributions to football.
Karpin spent most of his playing career at Spartak Moscow, Real Sociedad, and Celta Vigo, showcasing his skills as a midfielder.
Biography
Early Life
Valery Georgiyevich Karpin was born in 1969 and is a notable Estonian-Russian footballer and manager. He holds citizenships in Russia, Spain, and Estonia, reflecting his diverse background and career. Karpin began his football journey at a young age, showcasing his talent as a wing half.
Playing Career
Karpin's professional career kicked off in 1986 with SK Tallinna Sport, where he played until 1988 before moving to PFC CSKA Moscow for a brief stint. He then joined Spartak Moscow in 1990, where he made a significant impact, helping the team secure multiple league titles until 1994. His career took him abroad to Spain, where he played for Real Sociedad, Valencia CF, and RC Celta de Vigo, becoming a well-respected figure in La Liga. Karpin also represented the CIS national team and later the Russia men's national team, earning 72 caps and scoring 17 goals, including Russia's first goal post-Soviet Union.
Managerial Career
Transitioning from player to manager, Karpin took on various roles, including Director General and caretaker manager of Spartak Moscow. He later managed RCD Mallorca and FC Rostov, and in 2021, he was appointed as the manager of the Russia national team. Karpin's managerial style reflects his extensive experience as a player, and he continues to influence Russian football today.
Legacy
Karpin's contributions to football have been recognized with the title of Honoured Master of Sports of Russia, highlighting his achievements both on and off the pitch. His journey from a young player in Estonia to a prominent figure in Russian football exemplifies his dedication and passion for the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
At club level, Karpin played for Fakel Voronezh (1989), Spartak Moscow (1990–94), Real Sociedad (1994–96 and 2002–05), Valencia (1996–97) and Celta Vigo (1997–2002).
Karpin was capped 72 times for Russia, scoring 17 goals (he was also capped once for the CIS). He scored Russia's first goal after the breakup of the Soviet Union, in a 2–0 win against Mexico on 17 August 1992. Karpin played for Russia at the 1994 World Cup, Euro 1996, and the 2002 World Cup. In 2003, he won the Cyprus International Football Tournament when Russia beat Romania.
Earlier managerial career
In August 2008, Karpin was named as Director General of Spartak Moscow, replacing Sergei Shavlo. In April 2009, following a poor run of results, he replaced Michael Laudrup as caretaker manager of the club. On 18 April 2011, Karpin declared resignation from his position following one of the worse starts in club history. Eventually, he continued working as a manager up to the end of 2011–12 season. After the sacking of the newly appointed manager Unai Emery on 25 November 2012, Karpin took the responsibility of caretaker manager up until the end of the year. He later officially became the team's coach again and was not the caretaker anymore. On 18 March 2014, Karpin was relieved from his duties, after exiting the Russian Cup to third division FC Tosno and drawing with top flight's bottom side Anzhi Makhachkala. On 12 August 2014, he was appointed at the helm of RCD Mallorca. He joined Torpedo Armavir for the 2015–16 season after it was newly promoted to FNL. Under his management, the team (by then renamed to FC Armavir) was relegated back to the third-tier PFL, and on 23 June 2016, he left the club "by mutual consent".
FC Rostov and Russia
On 19 December 2017, Karpin was announced as the new manager of FC Rostov on a two-and-a-half-year contract. On 23 July 2021, Russian Football Union hired him as manager of the Russia national team until 31 December 2021 (for the duration of the World Cup qualification campaign). He was expected…
In 2016, he started working as analyst with Match TV. On 16 February 2017, he was appointed editor-in-chief of football broadcasts for the channel. He left the channel on 24 July 2017.
- Club
- FC Fakel Voronezh (1989–1989)
- Club
- Valencia CF (1996–1997)
- Club
- SK Tallinna Sport (1986–1988)
- Club
- RC Celta de Vigo (1997–2002)
- Club
- PFC CSKA Moscow (1988–1988)
- Club
- Spartak Moscow (1990–1994)
- Club
- Real Sociedad (1994–1996)
- Club
- Real Sociedad (2002–2005)
- Club
- CIS national football team (1992–1992)
- Club
- Russia men's national football team (1992–2003)
- Club
- Coruxo FC (2007–2007)
- Club
- Soviet Union national association football team (1992–1992)
- National team
- Soviet Union
- National team
- Russia
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Honoured Master of Sports of Russia
Clubs
- SK Tallinna Sport1986–1988
- PFC CSKA Moscow1988–1988
- FC Fakel Voronezh1989–1989
- Spartak Moscow1990–1994
- CIS national football team1992–1992
- Russia men's national football team1992–2003
- Soviet Union national association football team1992–1992
- Real Sociedad1994–1996
- Valencia CF1996–1997
- RC Celta de Vigo1997–2002
- Real Sociedad2002–2005
- Coruxo FC2007–2007
Played together with
Aaron Samuel OlanarePFC CSKA Moscow · 2016- Aarón EscandellValencia CF · 2008–2012
Aarón ÑíguezRC Celta de Vigo · 2009–2010- Aarón ÑíguezValencia CF · 2007–2011
Abbosbek FayzullaevPFC CSKA Moscow · 2023–2025
Abdul Majeed WarisSpartak Moscow · 2013–2014
Abel HernándezPFC CSKA Moscow · 2018–2019- Adam WolaninSpartak Moscow · 1941–1941
- Aderlan Leandro de Jesus SantosValencia CF · 2015
Adil RamiValencia CF · 2011–2014- Adnan GušoSpartak Moscow · 2001–2001
- Adnan GušoSpartak Moscow · 2001–2002
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Valery Georgiyevich Karpin is a Russian football manager and former player who manages the Russian national team. As a player, he was a midfielder and spent most of his career at Spartak Moscow, Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo. He holds citizenships of Russia, Spain and Estonia.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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