When he was playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Igor Larionov was someone who held little interest in watching hockey. His sport of choice for viewing during his downtime was soccer.
Recently named head coach of SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, Larionov said that he harbors a long-held desire also to coach SKA-Khabarovsk, the club’s team in Russia’s top soccer league.
While flattered by the offer, SKA-Khabarovsk General Director Alexey Kandalintsev appears to view The Professor as being more of a Gilligan when it comes to soccer tactics.
Igor Larionov pic.twitter.com/IFY2kkCobO
— Dojo Kun Comics (@dojokuncomics) June 20, 2025
“He likes beautiful hockey, we have beautiful attacking football,” Kandalintsev told Russian website Sport-Express. “He works now in SKA for St. Petersburg. They are our brothers. He supports our beautiful game.”
That’s about as far as Kandalintsev is willing to go when considering Larionov’s desire to become a soccer coach.
“Will he lead a football team one day?” Kandalintsev asked rhetorically. “Larionov is a great hockey player, a good coach. But for him to go into football is in the realm of fantasy.”
Larionov was also adding his name to the list of famous Russian athletes who think the country’s ban from international sports is entirely unfair. Russia has been prohibited from playing internationally in most sports since the country invaded neighboring Ukraine.
“World sports cannot exist without Russia, absolutely not,” Larionov told odds.ru. “I think it is unfair. For me, a person who played and lived in North America for many years, it is unfair.”
Former Red Wings Larionov Signs Son
Larionov is also taking some heat in Russian hockey circles for signing his son, Igor Larionov Jr., to a contract with SKA St. Petersburg. The younger Larionov was also playing for his dad at his previous KHL coaching stop at Torpedo.
Igor Larionov has signed for SKA! ⚡️
The 26-year-old forward has penned a one-year deal with our club.
He is indeed our third new addition of the summer.
Welcome to Saint Petersburg, Igor!#hcSKA pic.twitter.com/y4EICtZTY1
— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) July 9, 2025
In 36 games last season with Torpedo, Larionov Jr. was good for just five goals and 15 assists.