Spartak Moscow is actively seeking an international sporting director, aiming to succeed Paul Ashworth who could shift into a role less focused on building or transfers. The club is prioritizing a foreign expert to inject fresh thinking into its transfer strategy and squad development. Among the names discussed are Roberto Olabe from Real Sociedad and Luis Campos, renowned for his work at Paris Saint-Germain. This move highlights Spartak’s goal of strengthening its head office leadership to navigate the evolving terrain of European football and the competition in Russia.
While Ashworth’s future with the club remains under consideration, the prevailing expectation is that he will move away from traditional sporting director duties. The potential reshuffle signals a broader reorganization of Spartak’s football operations, aiming to align more closely with modern club structures where recruitment, player pathways, and data-driven decision making are central to long-term success.
The English executive began his tenure with Spartak Moscow in September 2022, bringing prior experience from roles at Astana and Brighton. His career also includes time in Latvia, where personal ties were formed. His arrival coincided with a phase of consolidation and transition for Spartak, as the team sought to balance competitive ambitions with financial and infrastructural considerations. The club’s recent performance placed it in a mid-table position in the Russian Premier League, reflecting a period of adjustment as it pursued progress on multiple fronts, including talent acquisition and development pipelines.
In the 14 weeks covered, Spartak accumulated 21 points, sharing sixth place with Lokomotiv. The latest league encounter between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. A notable moment occurred when Spartak had a player sent off just before halftime, narrowing the margin of error for the remainder of the game. Looking ahead, coach Guillermo Abascal’s squad is preparing to face Rostov in the upcoming fixture list, a match that will test the club’s tactical resilience and squad depth as it looks to climb the table and regain momentum.
Historically, Spartak’s coaching landscape has featured a mix of externally recruited expertise and internally promoted figures. The club has long been associated with strong leadership in football operations, and the current dynamics suggest a continued emphasis on strategic appointments that can bolster performance, stability, and growth both domestically and in European competition. As the season progresses, observers will watch closely how the management reshapes its personnel and whether the incoming sporting director will influence long-term recruitment philosophies and player development pathways. The broader narrative centers on how Spartak can translate on-pitch improvements into sustained league standing and competitiveness on the European stage. Cited from club communications.