Russia ice hockey coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov has been pushed out following the hosts’ dismal showing at the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation said Wednesday.
Talks will be held now to find a Bilyaletdinov’s replacement, federation president Vladislav Tretyak was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
“The executive committee decided to thank him for his work but the task was not fulfilled. The executive committee will now have talks over a new chief trainer,” said Tretyak, a legendary goaltender from the Soviet era.
Bilyaletdinov’s contract elapsed on March 1 and will not be renewed.
Russia, packed with NHL stars like Alex Ovechkin, slumped to a 3-1 defeat to Finland in a pitiful quarter-final performance that prompted jeers from Russian fans in Sochi.
The hosts had high hopes for a gold medal in ice hockey and that failure was the biggest disappointment for the Russians at their home Games.