Yuri Mikhailovich Kovtun (; born 5 January 1970) is a Russian football coach and a former defender, well known as a 1990s Russia national football team player, as well as Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow stopper. He is an assistant coach of Rotor Volgograd.
Playing career Kovtun's career started in minor Russian club Luch Azov in 1988. Then he started his career as a professional player in SKA Rostov-na-Donu and Rostselmash Rostov-on-Don. In 1992, Rostselmash and Kovtun starred in the first Russian championship where they unexpectedly promoted to 8th place. Kovtun was impressive during the season so two top teams were interested in him at the same time : Dynamo and Spartak Moscow. In 1993, Kovtun chose Dynamo Moscow and became their key player for years, until his move to Spartak in 1999.
Whereas Kovtun's only honour during his 6-year spell in Dynamo was a Russian Cup in 1995, he won 3 titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001 after joining Spartak. Moreover, he took part in numerous UEFA Champions League games and found himself a regular Russian national football team player.
International career Kovtun played for the Russian international team 50 times, scoring 2 goals. The most notable moments of his international career were his long shot goal to Yugoslavia during a 2002 World Cup qualifier and an own goal in a 0–1 away loss to Iceland Euro 2000 qualifying. He was a part of the Russian squad in the Euro 96 and World Cup 2002 finals. Kovtun was sent off in a Euro '96 match for a lunge at Germany's Dieter Eilts.
Strengths and weaknesses Kovtun's strong points as a defender were mainly great tackling, tight marking of opponents and scoring goals in the crucial matches. The main weakness of his game throughout his career was a lack of pace and acceleration. Stemming from this lack of speed, he often had to play too dirty so he could easily receive yellow cards or even be sent off (he holds the Russian League record for number of bookings).
Current activity During 2005, already a Spartak's veteran, he could not gain a place in the first team and most of the season he played for the reserves. In January 2006, he left Spartak Moscow for just relegated into Russian First Division Alania Vladikavkaz. He retired in 2007 and became a manager for MVD Rossii Moscow. MVD promoted to the Russian First Division under his supervision.
On 8 June 2009, Kovtun resigned from MVD manager position and was replaced by Vladimir Eshtrekov.
Career statistics ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLuch Azov1988Soviet Second League36100––361SKA Rostov-na-Donu1989Soviet First League23010––2401990Soviet Second League38040––420Total610500000660Rostselmash Rostov-on-Don1991Soviet First League38100––3811992Russian Premier League23010––2401993Russian Premier League30–––30Total641100000651Rostselmash-2 Rostov-on-Don1992Russian Second League10–––10Dynamo Moscow 1993Russian Premier League2713010–3111994Russian Premier League2222020–2621995Russian Premier League2504030–3201996Russian Premier League2612050–3311997Russian Premier League2805150–3811998Russian Premier League2811040–331Total1565171200001936Spartak Moscow1999Russian Premier League2621070–3422000Russian Premier League1715080–3012001Russian Premier League2612090–3712002Russian Premier League1611060–2312003Russian Premier League2322120303032004Russian Premier League1401060002102005Russian Premier League0000––00Total1227121380301758Spartak-2 Moscow2000Russian Second League10–––10Alania Vladikavkaz2006Russian Second League26520––2852007Russian First League3000––30Total295200000315Career total470193725803056821
Honours 1999, 2000, 2001 Russian Premier League 1995, 2003 Russian Cup
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