FC Khimki officially appointed 47-year-old Franc Artiga as head coach.

It’s the second time, when Moscow Region club hired foreign coach; first foreigner was Slavolyub Muslin, the Serbian had been working with the team in 2007 and 2008 seasons. Artiga was appointed, after Khimki parted ways with Andrey Talalaev, who joined the Red-Blacks in April 2023.

Artiga started as coach in 2002 working in Club de Futbol Reus Deportiu, then he joined CF Amposta twice as assistant and head coach, between these appointments worked for Gimnastic de Tarragona youth team. Most part of coaching career Artiga spent in FC Barcelona system starting in 2010 and finishing in 2021. After Barcelona the Spaniard moved to UAE, where he coached national youth teams.

Artiga came to Russia in 2023 signing with Rodina. Coach started working with second team in the Second League, and in October club appointed him to the first team, and under Artiga Rodina finished fifth in the First League not reaching the promotion playoff matches.

Khimki will kick off their season facing Dynamo Makhachkala at home.