Yuri Borodavko, the head coach of the Russian national cross-country ski team, commented on Elena Vyalbe’s potential entry into Spartak’s board, reportedly considered at Lukoil’s prompting. The veteran coach noted that if Vyalbe joins, her track record as federation leader could translate into a different kind of leadership for Spartak. He emphasized that coaching and organizational administration are distinct roles, and that she might bring fresh perspectives that could benefit the club. This perspective comes amid broader speculation about shifts in the management landscape surrounding Spartak, as reported by Sport-Express (citation: Sport-Express).
Earlier, there was chatter about Leonid Fedun potentially stepping away from the chairmanship of Spartak. Fedun has led the club since 2004, a period during which Spartak claimed the Russian Premier League title in the 2016/17 season and lifted the National Cup in 2021/22, marking a time of significant domestic success for the team. After four rounds in the Russian Premier League, Spartak finds themselves tied for the lead with CSKA, setting up a high-stakes clash against last season’s runners-up, Sochi, in the upcoming matchday. These developments reflect ongoing discussions about the club’s leadership direction and its competitive trajectory in Russia’s top flight (citation: Sport-Express).
Meanwhile, Sergey Kryanin, former vice president of FLGR, weighed in on Elena Vyalbe’s potential move, suggesting that she would continue her leadership within the federation even if negotiations with Spartak advanced. Kryanin echoed the sentiment that Vyalbe’s influence in the sport would persist through her federation duties, underscoring the complexity of balancing national governance with club-level leadership ambitions (citation: Sport-Express).