Lokomotiv Moscow appoints Nariman Akavov as sporting director
In short
Lokomotiv Moscow appointed Nariman Akavov as its sporting director, the club's press service said, replacing Dmitry Ulyanov, who left the post in late September. Akavov previously ran the scouting department at Dynamo Moscow and was chief scout at Spartak Moscow. The club sits 14th in the Russian Premier League with seven points after nine rounds.
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Lokomotiv Moscow appointed Nariman Akavov as its sporting director, the club's press service said, with state agencies and business outlets reporting the move within hours on Monday afternoon. Akavov replaced Dmitry Ulyanov in the role. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The accounts of Ulyanov's departure differ. Kommersant reported that Lokomotiv terminated his contract by mutual agreement on 25 September. RBC described Ulyanov as having been dismissed at the end of September. [ 4 , 5 ]
Akavov's previous job was at Dynamo Moscow, where he headed the scouting department and served as the club's chief scout; he also worked as chief scout at Spartak Moscow, according to Kommersant. Commenting on the task ahead, Akavov said there were “a lot of promising, interesting players, as well as young Russian footballers,” and that the team “simply needs targeted reinforcement that will allow it to get stronger and replace the departing leaders who have left the club over the current calendar year.” He described Lokomotiv as “a very interesting, young, solid and very promising Russian team.” [ 4 , 5 ]
The appointment follows a weak start to the season. Lokomotiv had seven points from nine Russian Premier League rounds and stood 14th in the table, RBC and Kommersant reported. Its next match is away against Fakel Voronezh, Kommersant said. [ 4 , 5 ]
Kommersant reported that the sporting director's role at Lokomotiv is built into a system in which the squad is formed not only through purchases but also through the club's own youth structure. The club merged its youth team with Kazanka so that promising players can move directly into the first team, with a stated target of promoting one or two footballers a year. In that model, the sporting director's work involves the coaching staff, medical and management teams, and Kommersant said the approach was supported by the board of directors and by Russian Railways (RZD). [ 5 ]
Room to strengthen the squad is limited by the club's financial structure, Kommersant reported: Lokomotiv recorded a positive transfer balance in 2024 and 2025, and for the past three years has operated without additional RZD financing, credits or loans, funding player purchases from income on player sales. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
The appointment comes as Lokomotiv, one of Russia's traditionally prominent clubs, sits near the bottom of the Premier League table, and the sporting director oversees recruitment in a system that also relies on the club's own youth pipeline. Akavov's scouting background at Dynamo and Spartak points to a recruitment-focused brief, though the documents give no detail on his contract or targets.
Key facts
- Nariman Akavov became sporting director of Lokomotiv Moscow, the club's press service said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Akavov replaced Dmitry Ulyanov in the role. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Kommersant reported Lokomotiv terminated Ulyanov's contract by mutual agreement on 25 September; RBC described him as dismissed in late September. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Akavov previously headed the scouting department and served as chief scout at Dynamo Moscow, and was chief scout at Spartak Moscow. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Lokomotiv was 14th in the Russian Premier League with seven points after nine rounds. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Lokomotiv's next match is away against Fakel Voronezh. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Dmitry Ulyanov was dismissed or left by mutual agreement. RBC said Ulyanov was dismissed in late September, while Kommersant said the club terminated his contract by mutual agreement on 25 September; the two accounts differ.
- The terms and length of Akavov's contract. None of the documents state the terms of the appointment.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reported that Akavov had become Lokomotiv's sporting director, noting Ulyanov had left the post. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that Akavov replaced Ulyanov as sporting director. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reported the appointment, citing the Moscow club's website. [ 3 ]
- RBC reported the appointment and noted Lokomotiv was 14th in the Premier League after nine rounds. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant reported the appointment in detail, including Akavov's comments and his previous roles at Dynamo and Spartak. [ 5 ]