Tereshenko on Dynamo: Give Kudashov time, Rotenberg handles youth hockey.
The white-and-blue machine of Dynamo Moscow is finally finding its rhythm under the stewardship of head coach Alexey Kudashov, racking up six commanding victories in their last seven outings, a statistic that demands attention as they prepare for the monumental clash against arch-rivals CSKA Moscow today. This isn't just a streak; it's a statement of intent, a testament to a system slowly but surely taking root.When you analyze Kudashov's approach, it’s reminiscent of the philosophical shifts we’ve seen in football with managers like Pep Guardiola—it’s not just about winning, it’s about winning with a specific, identifiable ideology, a blueprint for the game. The man has a clear vision, a hockey doctrine that he’s trying to imprint on his squad, and while the players haven't always been flawless in its execution, the recent results are the first green shoots of progress.To call for his head now would be as short-sighted as benching a star player after one missed pass; this is the very beginning of the championship marathon, not a sprint, and Kudashov deserves the one thing every great builder needs: time. Patience is the currency of development, and Dynamo’s management would be wise to invest heavily in it.The conversation, however, inevitably pivots to the broader structural changes within the club, namely the appointment of Roman Rotenberg to a key role overseeing youth hockey. This is a long-term play, a strategic investment in the farm system that won’t yield immediate dividends on the main stage.Think of it as building La Masia for hockey; the fruits of this labor, the next generation of homegrown talent, won't be visible for seasons to come. Rotenberg’s influence is deliberately siloed away from the day-to-day tactics and performance of the senior team, focusing instead on the foundational pipeline that will sustain Dynamo for the next decade.As three-time world champion Alexey Tereshchenko astutely pointed out, we won't see Rotenberg's impact materialize quickly, and that’s precisely the point. His role is to cultivate the soil, not to pick the week's harvest.This separation of duties is crucial for a club of Dynamo’s stature; Kudashov is the tactician on the front lines, tasked with deploying his troops for the battles immediately at hand, while Rotenberg is the strategist in the war room, planning for future campaigns. The current uptick in form suggests that Kudashov, freed from the immediate pressures of youth development, is finally able to focus his energies where they are most needed.The players are beginning to buy into his system, the passes are getting crisper, the defensive structure more resilient. The match against CSKA will be the ultimate litmus test, a high-pressure derby that will reveal the true mettle of this evolving Dynamo squad.A victory there wouldn’t just be two points; it would be a declaration that Kudashov’s ideology is not just a theory on a whiteboard, but a winning formula on the ice. The narrative surrounding Russian hockey clubs often lacks this kind of nuanced, long-term perspective, demanding instant success like a fan demanding a goal on every power play.But true, sustainable excellence is built on a foundation of philosophical clarity and structural patience. Dynamo, with Kudashov fine-tuning the engine of the first team and Rotenberg building the parts for the future, appears to be playing the long game—a strategy that, while not always providing the instant gratification of a winning streak, promises a far more enduring legacy.
It’s quiet here...Start the conversation by leaving the first comment.
© 2025 Outpoll Service LTD. All rights reserved.