Tkachenko hand back Krylya Sovetov Samara

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The Premier Liga club president German Tkachenko, who had been at the club’s helm for six years has resigned from his post and handed the club back to the Samara region administrators.

Tkachenko (35) was vice president of Basic Element (Siberian Aluminum), which supported Samara region governor Konstantin Titov. It was after the club clinched third place in the domestic league, and secured their debut in UEFA Cup, when they fell into financial difficulties.

Russian Football Union barred the club from buying new players until it paid off all its debts, while the tax authorities legally acted to declare the club’s bankruptcy due to open tax bills. Samara region however, refused to provide financial aid to the club.

On the brink of extinction, Tkachenko’s friend, Chelsea’s boss Roman Abramovic, called in agent Pini Zahavi. In just days, Zhavi managed to conclude a €10m deal to sell Krylya's international midfielder Andrey Karyaka to Portuguese club Benfica. The transfer fee however, was all dedicated to pay Krylya's arrears.