Former star Valery Masalitin weighs in on Leonid Slutsky’s move to China
The former prominent domestic football figure Valery Masalitin, who spent his career with Moscow clubs CSKA and Spartak, shared his thoughts with Gazeta on Leonid Slutsky’s decision to take up a coaching role in the Chinese championship. Masalitin framed the decision as a clear, intentional step in Slutsky’s career path, a move he described as more than just a new assignment. Call.
Masalitin noted that Slutsky has not been on the touchline recently, but that absence offers time for reflection. The specialist had been working alongside players such as Dziuba, and Masalitin suggested that if Slutsky used that period to assess what elements of his coaching approach were effective and which needed adjustment, he would stand to gain from the experiences. He described the Shanghai Shenhua period, a chapter in Slutsky’s career, as a test of adaptability within the evolving landscape of global football. According to Masalitin, moving to China represents a deliberate choice, a conscious challenge embraced in the face of a dynamically shifting world game. He stated that the move was a decision made with confidence and a clear understanding of the road ahead.
Slutsky previously led Shanghai Shenhua, a club that has hosted high-profile figures on the global stage, including Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. More recently, his coaching journey brought him to Rubin Kazan, where his tenure culminated in a fourth-place finish in the First League and ultimately contributed to Kazan’s return to the Russian Premier League after that season. These transitions highlight a career defined by exposure to diverse football cultures and competitive environments across separate leagues.
In related commentary from the football community, Alexander Mostovoy has described Slutsky in contrasting terms, labeling him as a random figure within the sport. The remarks reflect the varied opinions that surround managers who navigate high-profile roles in different football ecosystems, underscoring how public perception can diverge even among respected professionals.