New Sports Director’s Romance and Sparring in Spartak Moscow
Zarema Salikhova, wife of former Spartak Moscow owner Leonid Fedun, suggested there is a hint of romance surrounding the club’s newly appointed sports director, Tomas Amaral. The remarks surfaced in a recent interview with metaratings.ru. She observed that Amaral carries a certain charm, noting that the sentiment could be genuine or perhaps the result of careful messaging intended to win over fans. She also found it notable that the nickname Slow Down has been adopted for his creative work within the team, a choice she described as peculiar but intriguing. For Salikhova, Spartak remains a symbol of red, traditional strength, a racing-keen Ferrari in her words, with a clear expectation that progress will come either in a surge or in incremental steps. This comment underscores the club’s ongoing transition and the expectations fans place on its leadership.
Amaral himself spoke through Spartak’s press service, indicating that he intends to actively recruit promising players to Russia as part of the project’s forward-looking plan. His remarks emphasize a proactive approach to talent acquisition, signaling that the club is focused on building a competitive squad by attracting players who can contribute to long-term success.
Prior to joining Spartak, the Portuguese specialist served as the head of Benfica Lisbon’s operations in a capacity that differed from a traditional sports director role. At Benfica, he did not hold the position of sports director before joining Spartak; instead, his recent work involved duties as an observer within the club, which provides a different perspective on talent evaluation and strategic oversight.
In domestic competition, Spartak, under the guidance of Guillermo Abascal, stood fifth in the Russian Premier League during the first half of the season, having accumulated 30 points from 18 matches. The team trails the league leader Krasnodar by eight points and is six points behind Zenit St. Petersburg, a strong title contender. This snapshot of standings highlights the competitive environment in which Amaral will operate as he integrates into a squad seeking to consolidate its position among Russia’s top clubs.
Rumors have circulated about a potential coach who could replace Abaskal at Spartak, reflecting ongoing discussions about leadership continuity and strategic direction as the season progresses.