Guillermo Abascal has been named the new head coach of Spartak Moscow, with the club publicly recognizing the work of his predecessor Paolo Vanoli and the team that Vanoli guided. The official confirmation came on June 10, when Spartak announced Abascal’s appointment. The 33-year-old Spaniard succeeds Vanoli, who had been at the helm since December 2021, following an earlier period under the Portuguese coach Rui Vitória, who spent eight months with the club.
Abascal spoke about the transition with a pragmatic tone, noting that there were many positive aspects to build on while also acknowledging areas that required attention. He described the squad as having benefited from stability under the prior coaching staff and emphasized a desire to retain those strengths. At the same time, he highlighted the need to refine certain aspects of the team’s approach to align with his philosophy. This message reflected a balanced view: carry forward what worked while being ready to implement improvements where necessary, in pursuit of stronger performances in the future.
In the prior season, Spartak finished in tenth place in the Russian Premier League and also claimed the national cup trophy. Looking ahead, the club had a highly anticipated fixture scheduled for July 9, when Spartak would face Zenit St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg in a match that would decide the country’s Super Cup. The outcome of that contest would serve as a key early gauge of the new coaching regime’s impact and the team’s readiness to contend for major trophies in the current campaign.
Earlier reports noted that Timur Zhuravel, a commentator, reporter, and presenter for Match TV, commented on the coaching change. The update confirmed that Guillermo Abascal, the Spanish tactician, had been appointed to lead Spartak Moscow, underscoring the club’s intent to bring fresh ideas and new energy to its strategic plan for the seasons ahead. The appointment was presented as part of Spartak’s broader effort to strengthen its competitiveness in a demanding domestic league and in European competition, positioning Abascal as the key figure responsible for translating the club’s ambitions into results. [Source: Spartak Moscow press office, official communications]