Rostislav Vergun departs Zenit

Rostislav Vergun is leaving Zenit Basketball Club following the expiration of his contract.

Vergun joined the coaching staff of the Blue-White-Sky Blues in January 2026 as an assistant coach of the main team. Zenit finished third in the 2025/26 VTB United League regular season and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs, falling just short of a place in the finals.

Ahead of the VTB United League bronze medal series, Rostislav Vergun was appointed interim head coach of the team. The coach’s farewell statement:

It is always sad to say goodbye, but it is also always important to try to find positive aspects, and there are definitely quite a few of them. It was a difficult season, and all the challenges we encountered along the way have their own meaning and purpose. I believe that for the club, for the players, and for myself personally, this was a tremendous experience. In my view, we carried out our work honestly.

We faced many circumstances that were both objective and subjective. Unfortunately, we were not able to fully emerge from this situation with honor. Clearly, the result is not entirely satisfactory, but I would like to thank the players, the staff, and the club’s management for the time spent at the club. Zenit is a large organization with great ambitions. I want to believe that, as I already said, this is a low point, and that all the best still lies ahead for the club.

I would like to wish success to the athletes and the club. Many thanks to the fans for their support. I repeat, for me the feeling of the fifth game of the bronze series, when — despite the result and the series we all secretly hoped for, not a final series — we had to play for bronze, and despite all the difficulties with the roster, the guys fought until the end. And the fans somehow accepted us as we were at that moment. They supported us and stayed with us until the end.

It is a good story. Let it be the beginning of something greater in the future. Once again, thank you all very much for the time spent together, good luck, and see you at basketball.

Zenit Basketball Club would like to thank Rostislav for his professionalism and dedication, and wishes him continued success in his coaching career!