Former captain of the Bulgarian national team Andrey Zhekov will once again be part of the coaching staff of Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. The news was personally announced by the team's head coach Plamen Konstantinov in an interview with Varna journalist Rumen Genov. Zhekov, who has previously worked as an assistant coach at the club, returns for a second spell in Siberia, where he will assist Konstantinov in the upcoming Russian Super League season.
Zhekov was part of the staff during the 2022/23 season.
"This year, the staff will include Georgi Petrov - at the helm of the youth team, Veni Naumov as a conditioning coach, and Andrey Zhekov, who is returning to us. Along with Simeon Nikolov and Sam Derou, these are our main new additions," Konstantinov commented.
Ten years of loyalty and organizational comfort
The 2025/26 season will be Plamen Konstantinov's tenth consecutive at the helm of Lokomotiv. The specialist, who has previously led clubs in nine different championships, emphasizes that he has not encountered better organization and working conditions anywhere else.
"I have a great management and the general sponsor - Russian Railways. The organization, living conditions, training base, our medical center - everything is world-class. This is the main reason I have stayed so long," he explained.
Bulgarian core and strong academy
In addition to the three Bulgarian representatives in the first team (Simeon Nikolov, Georgi Petrov, and Andrey Zhekov), Lokomotiv boasts one of the strongest youth sectors in Russia. Under Petrov's leadership, the academy already provides about 70% of the first team's squad, including players like Kurkaev, Lizik, Brzhnyuk, Vishnevkov, and Kazachenkov.
"When I came to the club, there wasn't a single academy player in the first team. Now we have seven. Last year, we won both the championship and the Cup in the Youth League," Konstantinov added.
Ambition for new honors
After Lokomotiv won the Russian Cup last season, eliminating Zenit Kazan in the semi-finals and defeating Dynamo Moscow in the final, the goal for the new campaign is clear again - medals in the Super League.
"I expect a more difficult first half of the season due to the change of setter, but we are convinced that we will fight for honors, as every year," the coach stated.
Politics remains an option for the future
In the interview, Konstantinov admitted that he would return to politics if he found like-minded people with similar views. He recalled that years ago (in 2009) he ran for a member of parliament from the party of former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva (NSS).
"If you don't have people with similar views around you, it's pointless to take a place just for the position. But if I find the right like-minded people - I would return," the former captain of the "Lions" was adamant.
Volleyball - second sport in Novosibirsk
In the city, volleyball ranks immediately after hockey in popularity. The new arena with a capacity of 5500 seats is filled almost every match, even against outsiders in the championship. Lokomotiv also has exceptional fan support, as well as full assistance from the local authorities.
photos:https://lokovolley.com/and dir.bg
