Sasha was very happy with PLushenko and Mikhailov but her father was not pleased with the results obtained.
In his obsession with sending his daughter to the Olympics, he thought that only former coaches can restore her to her optimal shape. So he just made the right call to Renat Laishev.
Sasha will be forced to repeat the speech: "it was my decision" but no one will believe it.
Possibly the reason why the transfer back to Sambo70 is going more smoothly. Eteri may not believe that Sasha leaving and now rejoining Sambo70 are of her own initiative, and thus less anger/blame falling on her.
1) Eteri has only one project called Kamila. Preparing the other skaters is a secondary task with a lower priority.
IMHO that seems quite illogical.
a) Why put all eggs in 1 basket? Elite level athletes often get injured. Eteri is probably smart enough to hedge her bets. She may or may not consider Kamila the favorite, but it won't make sense to alienate the rest TOO MUCH.
b) The team event may not be as prestigious as the individual gold, but its still important. Which means she needs at least 2 skaters, since I doubt she is just going to sit by and let Tuktamysheva fill one of the two individual ladies spots in the team event.
c) Russia has 3 spots for the ladies at the Olympics. Anyone seriously think Eteri doesn't want all 3?
On a separate note, here is my admittedly long shot prediction for Sambo70:
#1 - Medvedeva retires and switches to coaching Eteri's novices/juniors
It would be 1 less senior who has little chance of making the Olympic team for Eteri to focus on.
Her relationship with Eteri seems to have largely recovered, and Eteri could definitely use extra coaching staff.
She has perfectly good reasons (health issues post Covid, injuries, etc) to retire gracefully.
Has been holding limited coaching sessions and masterclasses already and a career in coaching seems an obvious choice for her in the future.
Speaks passable English (see prediction 3).
#2 - Zagitova retires and focuses on her degree/career in broadcasting
It would be another senior who has little chance of making the Olympic team for Eteri to focus on.
Has a good relationship with Eteri and a career for her in broadcasting provides another pro-Sambo70 voice, and a significant one at that.
She is already pretty much retired from competitive skating, and I don't think actual retirement will exclude her from shows.
Already working towards this angle anyway.
#3 - Shcherbakova retires (further down the line) and joins Eteri's team as another coach (5 year plan maybe?)
Regardless of what happens in 2022, she is unlikely to last competitively till the 2026 Olympics.
She has mentioned her desire to stay within the sport after her competitive career. IIRC she specifically discussed the possibility of coaching.
Is another skater with a good relationship with Eteri and joining her team would be a win-win for both (see prediction 4).
Speaks fluent English and together with Medvedeva, they can expand Eteri's coaching empire by opening it up to the international market.
#4 - Eteri's empire expands from training skaters, to also training coaches (Eteri becomes National Coach/Coaching Matriach)
Eteri herself is also fluent in English. Having international students will be another feather in her cap.
Might even let her pull a reverse Brian Orser and possibly even take some of his students for a change.
Has a 3rd senior who speaks fluent English and is largely done with her career (Tursynbayeva). Although I don't know if she is interested.
