Red Wings Legend Not Interested in CSKA Moscow Coaching Job

Former Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov won’t be returning to his old job. Fedorov has publicly stated he has no interest in returning as coach of CSKA Moscow of the KHL.

“I have no negotiations with the club,” Fedorov told Russian news agency TASS. “I will not be the head coach.”

Fedorov, 55, previously coached CSKA Moscow from 2021-24. During that span, he led the club to back-to-back KHL Gagarin Cup titles. There was even speculation at the time that Fedorov might be getting NHL coaching consideration.

'Twas Sergei Fedorov's night at CSKA Arena. pic.twitter.com/JVT4Sm67BD

— KHL (@khl_eng) December 20, 2024

For his work with the club as a player, Fedorov’s No. 18 jersey was retired last year. However, when CSKA Moscow was unceremoniously bounced from the first round of the KHL playoffs in the spring of 2024, Fedorov was handed his walking papers.

The same fate awaited Fedorov’s replacement, Ilya Vorobyov after the club again made a first-round playoff exit this spring.

Fedorov had previously stated that the only coaching position he would consider assuming would be a return behind the CSKA bench. Evidently, a year away from working behind a bench has left him of the opinion that coaching just isn’t a profession that’s still of interest to him.

“In my understanding, I have finished my coaching career,” Fedorov said at the time. “After I left CSKA, I did not receive any new offers. I did not pick up the phone.”

Door Open For Former Red Wings Star Larionov

Like Fedorov a three-time Stanley Cup champion in Detroit and a member of the Red Wings famed Russian Five, Igor Larionov is now viewed as the front runner to become the new coach of CSKA Moscow.

Fedorov 🤝 @Igor_Larionov

Coach Sergei Fedorov congratulates Igor Larionov after #Torpedo bests #CSKA 4-2.

Their teams head-to-head series tied 1-1 now. #KHL #LGRW pic.twitter.com/8l3L940Jps

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) December 7, 2022

Russian hockey icon Boris Mikhailov, the former national team captain who serves as honorary president of CSKA Moscow, is reportedly lobbying strongly in favor of the hiring of Larionov. Mikhailov still swings some very powerful clout within the CSKA Moscow hierarchy.

Torpedo was relieving Larionov of his duties as coach when that club was suffering elimination in the opening round of the KHL playoffs last month.