Former Russia Football Coach Boris Ignatyev Dies After Illness

Former head coach of the Russian national football team Boris Ignatyev died today at the age of 85. He had long battled a severe illness which he could not overcome. Because of this, his last days were difficult. This report details the causes of his death.

«He had a heart condition, stomach problems. Somehow like that,» TASS was told by the athlete«s widow Irina Ignatyeva.

Ignatyev also had cancer, which was discovered in 2024, when he underwent stomach surgery, said Alexander Mirzoyan, chairman of the veterans« football committee of the Russian Football Union (RFU), in a conversation with Match TV. This information was confirmed by the president of the Russian Football Union Vyacheslav Koloskov.

«We, of course, knew about his illness — cancer. We monitored, kept track. It was visible from him that it was hard even to speak. We lost an amazing person, my condolences to the family,» said Koloskov.

The former head coach of the Russian national football team was in the hospital for more than two weeks in January. There, Ignatyev was undergoing treatment for cancer, and shortly before death he lost 15 kilograms (33 lbs) sharply, writes Mash on Sport.

Several days ago, the athlete underwent a new stomach surgery. After that, the former coach of the Russian national team had complications due to heart problems.

«On the weekend, he had another operation. It was successful, and soon Ignatyev was discharged. But at home, the former head coach felt unwell. Today at one o»clock at night, his condition sharply worsened,« according to a message from the Telegram channel Shot.

Relatives called an ambulance, but it didn«t help. Ignatyev»s heart couldn«t take it. He died at home.

The footballer will be buried at Troekurovskoye Cemetery, said Alexander Mirzoyan, chairman of the veterans« football committee of the Russian Football Union. The date of the farewell with the former coach is still unknown.

Recall that in 1996–1998, Ignatyev led the Russian national team on the international arena. He also worked with a number of Russian and foreign clubs, including Moscow«s Torpedo, Ramenskoye»s Saturn, Chinese Shandong Luneng, and Saudi Al-Ittihad.