Date of birth: 2 February 1969
Nationality: Russian
Playing career: SK Tallinna Sport, PFC CSKA Moskva, FC Fakel Voronezh, FC Spartak Moskva, Real Sociedad de Fútbol (twice), Valencia CF, RC Celta de Vigo
Coaching career: FC Spartak Moskva

• Born in Estonia, Karpin established himself as a key midfielder in the Spartak side in the early 1990s, winning three Russian Premier League titles between 1992 and 1994.

• Moved to Spain in 1994, spells at Real Sociedad and Valencia preceding a five-year stint at Celta Vigo, where he and fellow Russian Aleksandr Mostovoi helped the club enjoy one of the most successful periods in their history, reaching three UEFA Cup quarter-finals in succession and the 2001 Copa del Rey final.

• Karpin, who also holds Estonian and Spanish passports, won one cap for Commonwealth of Independent States and added a further 72 for Russia, scoring 17 goals. Appeared in EURO '96 and the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.

• Rejoined Real Sociedad in 2002, hanging up his boots three years later. Stayed in Spain to pursue business interests but returned to Russia in August 2008, replacing Sergei Shavlo as Spartak CEO.

• Succeeded Michael Laudrup as the club's head coach on 16 April 2009, leading Spartak to second place in that year's Russian top flight and earning a place in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League group stage. Replaced by Unai Emery in May 2012, he returned to his role as CEO having retained the position throughout his coaching reign, but once again took charge of the first team following the Spaniard's dismissal that November.