The General Manager of “Sibir,” **Viktor Merkulov**, announced that the club’s management selected **Vyacheslav Butsaev** from a pool of candidates for the head coach position.

**— Was there a shortlist of candidates for the head coach role at “Sibir,” or was it just Butsaev?**
**— There was a list, approximately five or six names. Yuri Gennadievich** *(the head of the scouting department and Vyacheslav Butsaev’s brother – Note from “Championat”)* **did not participate in this process. However, other executives were involved.**

**— So, has the replacement for Epanchintsev been in preparation for several weeks?**
**— It’s not just a matter of a few weeks. You always consider such options ahead of time. Just because we have a coach doesn’t mean I don’t calculate that things might go awry. This is standard planning; everyone uses this in their life. It’s part of my job. There should always be a Plan B.**

**— Was Koreshkov included in the list of candidates?**
**— That name was discussed. I can’t say it was my candidate or someone else’s, but it did come up.**

**— Was he rejected by him or by the club?**
**— The club made that decision,** Merkulov’s words were conveyed by “Championat” correspondent Maxim Makarov.