A veteran observer, former head coach Oleg Romantsev, who steered Spartak Moscow and later the Russian national team, praised Leonid Slutsky as a true professional in his field. Romantsev described Slutsky as more than just a manager—he called him a coach with clear principles and a strong, self-assured philosophy about football. In Romantsev’s view, Slutsky earned national recognition during his successful spells with CSKA Moscow, where he claimed multiple national championships with a capital letter of emphasis. Romantsev acknowledged that Slutsky faced difficult periods—challenges with the national team and less favorable experiences abroad—but stressed that Slutsky maintains distinct, principled approaches to coaching that reflect his commitment to the craft. He extended sincere wishes for Slutsky’s continued luck and success in China, noting that in football, even the strongest can attract criticism, and that adversity is a common companion for prominent professionals. Romantsev added that the sentiments he described are not unique to Slutsky alone; many seasoned coaches experience both praise and scrutiny in equal measure, which he viewed as a natural aspect of the profession. [attribution: Sports Express]
On February 1, Slutsky’s squad earned a victory in Doha, defeating Qatar’s Al-Duhail in the opening match of the Equality Cup. This triumph marked Slutsky’s first win at Shanghai Shenhua since he took over the club on December 27, 2023. The win was celebrated as a meaningful milestone in his ongoing project to establish a competitive team culture in the Chinese Premier League, a league that has increasingly attracted international attention and coaching talent. [attribution: Sports Express]
Slutsky’s most recent position before joining Shanghai Shenhua was with Rubin Kazan, a club he left at the end of 2022. During his tenure there, the team struggled in the Russian Premier League and found itself near the bottom of the standings in the 2021/22 season, ultimately facing relegation to the First League. This chapter underscored the volatility of top-flight football and the high stakes coaches navigate when guiding teams through periods of transition. [attribution: Sports Express]
Beyond his work in club football, Slutsky is also remembered for his earlier spells in charge of CSKA Moscow. While at CSKA, he led the team to three Russian Premier League titles and claimed the domestic Cup and Super Cup twice, highlighting his capacity to build and sustain success at the highest level of national competition. These achievements contribute to a nuanced legacy that blends domestic triumphs with the challenges of international and national team assignments. [attribution: Sports Express]
Slutsky served as the head coach of the Russian national team from 2015 to 2016. Under his guidance, the team advanced to the European Championship in 2016, finishing fourth in the group stage. That period remains a reference point in discussions about the team’s performance and the dynamics of managing a national squad under intense scrutiny from fans and media alike. [attribution: Sports Express]
In reflecting on his career, Slutsky has recently commented on occasions when he was without a club, explaining why there was a period of unemployment that lasted a year. His candid reflections offer insight into the realities of coaching careers at the highest levels, where job security is brief, decisions are consequential, and reputations can hinge on short-term results as well as long-term strategic vision. [attribution: Sports Express]