Orenburg

After being promoted from the second tier last season, Marcel Licka guided Orenburg to an impressive seventh-place finish. However, Licka has now joined Dinamo Moscow, while Jiri Jarosik has become the new head coach. There have been a few changes to the squad over the summer for Orenburg. One familiar face, nevertheless, will be Brian Mansilla. He has now completed a permanent transfer after providing 11 goal contributions in the league last season. Some tidy new additions have come in the form of winger Emircan Gurluk and midfield Tomas Muro. Stepan Oganesyan has also completed a permanent move after a loan spell last term from Spartak Moscow. Finishing off with a couple of full-back arrivals, Orenburg appear to have a well-balanced squad. However, the losses of full-backs Aleksandr Ektov and Mateo Stamatov will be felt. The hope is that free transfer signings Maksim Sidorov and Leo Goglichidze will be enough. Midfielder Timur Ayupov has left the club on a free transfer. It looks as though the defence has weakened from last season. It wasn't a too sturdy one either last term. The attack should continue to prosper, especially with plenty of new additions. The main question will be whether Orenburg can perform at the same level as they did last year but without Licka as the boss. Jarosik has some big boots to fill.