Vasili Kulkov
Encyclopedia
Vassily Sergeyevich Kulkov ' onMouseout='HidePop("98428")' href="/topics/Moscow">Moscow
, Soviet Union
) is a retired Russia
n footballer, and a current coach
.
Either a central defender or defensive midfielder, he was best known for his spells at Spartak Moscow
and Benfica.
, coming to prominence with hometown's most notably FC Spartak Moscow
, from where he left in 1991 for a Portuguese league stint with S.L. Benfica (where he played with countrymen Aleksandr Mostovoi and Sergei Yuran
).
In 1994–95, both Kulkov and Yuran joined F.C. Porto, being very important figures in the league's conquest. Aged 29, Kulkov returned to Spartak, only to be immediately shortly after to Milwall
in the English
second division
, where he failed to adjust immensely, appearing very rarely in a six-month loan.
After two years with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
and one at FC Krylia Sovetov Samara, Kulkov returned to Portugal
, joining F.C. Alverca
- then Benfica's feeder club
but also in the first division; he closed out his career with amateurs FC Shatura, aged 35.
Kulkov then had some spells in coaching, notably assisting countryman Anatoliy Byshovets at C.S. Marítimo in 2003. Six years later, he moved to Spartak Moscow's reserves, in the same capacity.
qualifier
against East Germany
.
Despite playing regularly for the national team for several years, he did not participate in any major tournament: in 1990, he was not selected for the final stages in Italy
, and missed UEFA Euro 1992 (with CIS
) and 1996 due to injury.
Before the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, several Russia
players, including Kulkov, signed a letter demanding that team manager Pavel Sadyrin
resign. Sadyrin did not and he refused to participate.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) is a retired Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n footballer, and a current coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Either a central defender or defensive midfielder, he was best known for his spells at Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
and Benfica.
Club career
From 1984 until the end of his career, Kulkov played for a host of clubs in RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, coming to prominence with hometown's most notably FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
, from where he left in 1991 for a Portuguese league stint with S.L. Benfica (where he played with countrymen Aleksandr Mostovoi and Sergei Yuran
Sergei Yuran
Sergei Nikolayevich Yuran is a Ukrainian-association football coach and a former striker.-Career:At club level he played in six different countries...
).
In 1994–95, both Kulkov and Yuran joined F.C. Porto, being very important figures in the league's conquest. Aged 29, Kulkov returned to Spartak, only to be immediately shortly after to Milwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
second division
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, where he failed to adjust immensely, appearing very rarely in a six-month loan.
After two years with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Football Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League...
and one at FC Krylia Sovetov Samara, Kulkov returned to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, joining F.C. Alverca
F.C. Alverca
Futebol Clube de Alverca is a Portuguese football club based in Alverca do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon. Founded on 1 September 1939, it currently plays in the Lisbon District Championships.-History:...
- then Benfica's feeder club
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
but also in the first division; he closed out his career with amateurs FC Shatura, aged 35.
Kulkov then had some spells in coaching, notably assisting countryman Anatoliy Byshovets at C.S. Marítimo in 2003. Six years later, he moved to Spartak Moscow's reserves, in the same capacity.
International career
Kulkov made his debut for the Soviet Union on 26 April 1989, in the 1990 FIFA World Cup1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
qualifier
1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup saw 32 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. UEFA members Italy qualified automatically as hosts of the finals. The qualification process started on 21 May 1988 and ended on 18 November 1989.-Format:Teams were drawn into seven...
against East Germany
East Germany national football team
The East Germany national football team was from 1952 to 1990 the football team of East Germany, playing as one of three post-war German teams, along with Saarland and West Germany....
.
Despite playing regularly for the national team for several years, he did not participate in any major tournament: in 1990, he was not selected for the final stages in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and missed UEFA Euro 1992 (with CIS
CIS national football team
The CIS national football team represented the Commonwealth of Independent States, a regional confederation formed by 12 of the 15 newly formed sovereign states that emerged out of the break-up of the Soviet Union between 1990 and early 1992...
) and 1996 due to injury.
Before the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, several Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
players, including Kulkov, signed a letter demanding that team manager Pavel Sadyrin
Pavel Sadyrin
Pavel Sadyrin was a Soviet and Russian footballer and manager.Sadyrin played as a midfielder for Zvezda Perm and Zenit Leningrad....
resign. Sadyrin did not and he refused to participate.
Honours
- Soviet LeagueSoviet Top LeagueThe Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
: 1989 - Portuguese League: 1993–94, 1994–95
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1992–93 - Russian Cup: 1999