Anzhi Makhachkala: Formerly one of the richest clubs in the world. Today it can’t even afford a bus

Anzhi Makhachkala is a Russian football club that younger fans probably don’t even know exists. Not so long ago, this club was one of the richest in the whole world. What was behind the huge fall?

In 2011, the club was bought by billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. When he took over the club, he promised an immediate investment of four billion crowns, both in facilities and new reinforcements, with one goal in mind. To bring an unknown club into the European elite.

The rich owner, who was then the 36th richest man in the world, attracted names like Samuel Eto’o, Roberto Carlos, Lassana Diarra and Willian on astronomical terms. Moreover, Guus Hiddink led the footballers from the bench.

For a time, the investment paid off. Anzhi played for the top positions of the Russian league and participated in European cups. But the project itself was doomed from the start.

After Makhachkala reached the cups for the first time, Hiddink resigned. This triggered the club’s gradual decline.

The club’s funding stopped

The billionaire stopped enjoying the club because it stopped living up to the expectations it initially had. Moreover, the whole project started to be a loss-making venture for him. The owner himself was later accused of tax evasion and money laundering.

The Russian team got into big financial trouble. He sold what he could and was relegated back to the second league for a year.

With the return to Russia’s top competition, a new owner took over the club. Osman Kadiyev is another likeable guy who was on the FBI’s wanted list.

The new owner wanted to put the club back among the elite, develop the club’s potential and greater inclusion of relegation footballers.

That hasn’t worked and Anzhi Makhachkala are currently playing in only the third Russian league and drowning in huge debts. Some time ago the bailiffs even seized the club bus and all other motor vehicles.

The club has been left with a choice. Either complete extinction or relegation to the third league. The Russian team is now played for by the club’s offspring and the fans hope and believe for an early return to the second league, of which they used to be a regular participant.

Source: Wikipedia, Livesport, Transfermarkt