Anzhi Makhachkala have dropped Roberto Carlos from their squad for the Russian Premier League, in a move that may signal the end of the Brazilian left-back’s 22-year career, Anzhi vice-president German Chistyakov said Friday.
Roberto Carlos was the first of several famous names signed by Suleiman Kerimov when he took over the club in January 2011, and is reportedly close to the billionaire owner.
“Roberto Carlos has been deregistered as a player,” Chistyakov told Russian newspaper Sport-Express.
Roberto Carlos may now be registered as a coach if he obtains a license, Chistyakov said.
“Any person can be registered as a coach if they hold the relevant license. If Roberto Carlos gets one, then he can be registered in that role,” he said.
The move comes just two days after new Anzhi coach Guus Hiddink said that he wanted Roberto Carlos to continue playing.
“When we need Roberto, we can count on him. He trains excellently and we’re very glad to work with him,” Hiddink told Sport-Express on Wednesday.
“But you can’t ignore that he’s already 38 and he’ll soon be 39. He has an outstanding career behind him, one of the best in the world.”
Roberto Carlos was Anzhi’s captain for much of 2011 and had previously announced his intent to retire at the end of 2012 and join the club’s backroom staff.
Roberto Carlos' role at the Dagestan-based club is known to extend far beyond playing and advising the coaches.
He has given dozens of interviews explaining his duties in ensuring the club runs professionally when it comes to its internal affairs, and acting as a conduit between billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov and the football world when it comes to acquiring new players.
