On the morning of August 1, rumors circulated through the Baza Telegram channel that Ashot Khachaturyants could succeed Leonid Fedun as head of Spartak Moscow. The report suggested that Khachaturyants, a former top executive in Russian football administration, might soon be appointed to lead the capital club. Championship.com corroborated that Vagit Alekperov, a Spartak co-owner, was advocating for Khachaturyants to join the club in a presidential role.
Meanwhile, Championship.com noted that Khachaturyants remained a primary candidate for Spartak’s presidency but had not yet provided a final answer. A source close to the situation stated that Khachaturyants is the leading contender, though the final decision remains pending. The likelihood of a breakthrough was described as high by those familiar with the talks.
Within Spartak, official comments were cautious. The club’s press service head, Dmitry Zelenov, said he had no information about such changes, and a denial followed from Sport24, which quoted him noting the persistence of rumors and a calm response to them. Khachaturyants himself declined to comment on Spartak in discussions with television outlet Match TV. On July 31, Spartak hosted Orenburg in a 4-1 victory, a match that coincided with the opening ceremony of the Igor Netto monument. Reporters questioned Fedun about his possible departure, but he reportedly avoided addressing the issue.
Former Spartak player Maxim Demenko, who has also played for Zenit and Krasnodar, told socialbites.ca that Khachaturyants’s potential appointment would hinge on the club’s finances. He suggested that while Khachaturyants could lead the club, the financial backing would be a decisive factor. Fedun remains involved with the team, and Demenko implied that changes could be managed without a sudden disruption to the club’s operations.
Valery Gladilin, a former Spartak player and coach, described Khachaturyants as a strong manager with deep knowledge of football operations. He emphasized that the financial framework would heavily influence any leadership transition. The comment reflected a view that a leadership change could be acceptable if funding and sponsorship arrangements remained solid, and that Khachaturyants possesses the professional credentials to guide the club if those conditions are met.
Gladilin also acknowledged Fedun’s long association with Spartak, noting his efforts as a sponsor and manager. He pointed out that Spartak has achieved domestic success only intermittently, suggesting that sustained glory requires more than leadership alone. The discussion acknowledged that Fedun’s broader business commitments may affect his day-to-day involvement with Spartak, creating space for a potential new leader who would dedicate full attention to the club.
Reports from the BRIEF Telegram channel later suggested another candidate for Spartak’s presidency: Sergey Pryadkin, a former head of the Russian Premier League. According to the channel, Pryadkin’s appointment would mark a broader shift in the club’s governance, with Alexander Matytsin, Lukoil’s first vice president, supporting Pryadkin. The story hinted at potential changes at the top levels of Spartak’s management, including questions about the role of Thomas Zorn, a former executive connected to the club’s leadership history.
Earlier coverage noted that a representative from Spartak’s title sponsor, Lukoil, might take over management duties, with speculation that Fedun could resign as chairman while remaining a minority owner. There were also reports that Lukoil could acquire the Spartak stadium from Fedun, with figures floated for the transaction. The evolving narrative highlighted the complexity of leadership choices at Spartak and the balance between sport, sponsorship, and ownership interests.
Across the broader football community, observers stressed that Khachaturyants’s fit would depend on his ability to align with the club’s strategic goals and financial structure. While many see him as a capable professional capable of steering the club, the ultimate decision would rest on whether funding commitments and stakeholder support could be maintained or enhanced under new leadership. The ongoing dialogue reflects Spartak’s status as a storied club where leadership transitions attract significant attention from fans, sponsors, and rivals alike.
The emerging narrative demonstrates the tension between performance on the field and the financial and governance frameworks that sustain a top-tier club. As discussions continue, Spartak’s supporters await clarity on who will guide the club in the coming seasons, with emphasis on both managerial competence and the financial stability required to sustain long-term success.