Kirill Novikov, a former football player and head coach of Dynamo Moscow, celebrates his birthday on Wednesday.
Kirill Aleksandrovich was born on January 14, 1981, in Moscow to a football family. His father was legendary Dynamo defender Aleksandr Vasilyevich Novikov, the club's record holder for matches played (395). Novikov Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and took his first professional steps at the Dynamo Youth Sports School.
Starting at the age of 15, he played for the Moscow national team, then for the Russian youth teams of various age groups. He participated in the European U18 and U20 Championships, as well as the World Youth Games. In 1999, Novikov joined the Dynamo reserve team and a year later made his debut for the main team, playing 31 matches and scoring one goal. He was also called up to the Russian youth team, but a serious injury forced him to end his career early.
After graduating from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport with a degree in coaching and teaching, Kirill Aleksandrovich began coaching at the Lev Yashin Dynamo Academy, after which he served as assistant coach of Dynamo-2. Later, after a season with Dynamo-2 St. Petersburg, Novikov returned to the capital, where he continued coaching at the White-Blues Academy.
In May 2019, he took over as head coach of the Dynamo youth team, and in the fall, he was initially appointed acting head coach of Dynamo, and then confirmed in that position. Novikov worked with the team until September 2020, coaching 28 matches, recording 13 wins, six draws, and nine losses.
Since January 2021, he has been the head coach of Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, which plays in the First League.