Former Premier League manager leaves new Russian team after Ukraine invasion without coaching a single match

• Daniel Farke joined Russian soccer team Krasnodar as manager in January.
• He left on Wednesday without taking charge of a single match.

The former Norwich City manager Daniel Farke abruptly left the Russian Premier League side Krasnodar without taking charge of a single match, suggesting his family pleaded with him to come home after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The German coach spent just over four years at Norwich, twice guiding the team to the English Premier League before parting ways with the club in November.

He joined Krasnodar on a four-year deal in January and was expected to take charge of his first match against Lokomotiv Moscow on February 27, but the game was suspended after the invasion.

On Wednesday, the club released a statement to say it was terminating Farke's contract — 48 days after signing his initial deal.

"Krasnodar top management and Daniel Farke reached an agreement on contract termination by mutual consent of the parties," read the statement. "Farke's assistant coaches, Edmund Riemer, Chris Domogalla, and Christopher John, are leaving the Club with the German specialist."

"Football Club Krasnodar thank the coaching staff for the work done and wish them luck in their further career."

Speaking to Kicker after leaving Krasnodar, Farke said: "The current political development and the associated request from our children, wives, families and friends to come home and the loss of all sporting perspectives have now led to this well-considered decision."

"It is very difficult for us, because we were received very warmly from day one. We formed a great community with different nationalities in a very short time, who wanted to pursue sporting goals together. With joy and fun," he said.

"Unfortunately, the serious side of life has now caught up with us."

Farke's departure from Krasnodar follows the resignation of Markus Gisdol as the manager of Lokomotiv on Tuesday.

Gisdol told BILD he resigned because he "cannot pursue" his career "in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression."

"I can't stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and orders are given a few kilometers away that bring great suffering to an entire people," he said. "This is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of this."

Russian clubs were suspended from all FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice as a result of the invasion.