Cherchesov assesses Spartak Moscow under Stankovic amid mixed signals
Stanislav Cherchesov, who once led the Russian national team and later coached the Kazakh side, shared that gauging Spartak Moscow’s progress under Dejan Stankovic is challenging because he rarely watches the club’s games. His remarks, relayed by Match TV, offer a candid glimpse into the evolving situation at the Moscow club.
He noted that Spartak has stringed together several victories, yet he cautioned that such results do not provide a definitive verdict on the team’s overall trajectory. There is clear improvement, Cherchesov observed, but the context matters: other teams are facing stronger opponents, while Spartak must contend with Zenit, a scenario that can influence how progress is perceived. This nuanced view reflects the reality of a competitive league where momentum must be weighed against the quality of upcoming opponents.
Dejan Stankovic assumed the role of Spartak Moscow head coach in the summer of 2024, stepping in after Vladimir Sliskovic took over following the dismissal of Guillermo Abascal. Stankovic arrived with a plan to rebuild and sharpen the club’s competitive edge, a task that often unfolds in gradual steps rather than instant transformations.
In the current Russian Premier League standings, Spartak sits in fourth place with ten points. The next fixture pits Stankovic’s squad against Zenit St. Petersburg, a high-stakes clash scheduled for August 24. The match is set to kick off at 17:30 Moscow time, a time that could prove pivotal in shaping the club’s early-season narrative and confidence levels heading into a demanding schedule.
Manfred Ugalde, a forward for Spartak, had previously voiced his satisfaction with his position at the club, underscoring his personal sense of belonging and motivation as the campaign progresses. His comments contribute to the broader picture of a squad managing expectations while blending new leadership with its existing talents.