Former Spartak Moscow general manager Evgeny Melezhikov voiced sharp criticism of head coach Guillermo Abascal, pointing to strategic errors in how the squad was assembled. The outspoken former executive shared his views with Sports Express, emphasizing the punchy role of leadership within the team.
“Replacing two vice-captains, Promes and Zobnin, plus the absence of vice-captain Selikhov and captain Dzhikia due to injuries, is a move that surprises me. Leaders anchor a squad; they must be trusted and engaged with consistently. They form the backbone, the heartbeat, of the team. It’s hard to see whom Guillermo will rely on next,” Melezhikov remarked. [Attribution: Sports Express]
Abascal assumed command of Spartak ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. His career prior to joining Spartak included stints abroad in Volos, Greece, and Basel, Switzerland. Throughout his tenure, he pursued a contract that grew with the team’s performance, culminating in a salary adjustment as the season advanced. Under his guidance, Spartak finished third in the Russian Premier League last season, signaling a competitive, if not flawless, campaign for the club.
The season’s results took a sharp turn on October 1, when Spartak were overwhelmed by Krylya Sovetov Samara, losing 0:4. In the match’s first half, Yuri Gorshkov delivered a quick double, putting Spartak on the back foot early. The groundwork was laid for a decisive second period, during which Garre and Shitov added goals, sealing a heavy defeat for the red-and-whites. [Attribution: match report]
Earlier discussions surrounding Abascal’s future with the club had intensified, with pundits weighing the prospects of a change in leadership. Dmitry Guberniev had floated the notion of a potential firing, considering the team’s evolving dynamics and the pressure to restore consistency. The debate underscored the high expectations surrounding Spartak’s managerial direction and the critical influence of tactical choices on league standings and squad morale.