Alexander Shikunov, the former sports director of Moscow Spartak, offered a sharp critique of head coach Guillermo Abascal after Spartak’s 0-2 loss to Krasnodar in the seventh round of the Russian Premier League. Speaking candidly, Shikunov voiced concerns about the club’s direction and pressed for accountability at the managerial level, suggesting that the team’s performance had deteriorated and that urgent decisions were needed about the coaching position.
Shikunov recalled a conversation with Spartak midfielder Sobolev following the defeat, describing the exchange as distressing and revealing that Sobolev felt a sense of nightmare and fear about the match. The former executive emphasized that the leadership must act decisively regarding Abascal, asserting that the season had spiraled into trouble and that the current approach was not yielding results. He directly questioned Abascal’s ability to implement a coherent game plan and criticized the club’s coaching methods, arguing that Spartak should learn from teams with more limited resources rather than from a coach managing at a high-profile club with ample transfer funds. He noted the recent 40 million euro investment in players and urged the leadership to take responsibility for moving the project forward (source attribution: RB Sports).
The match itself saw Krasnodar open the scoring through John Cordoba in the 39th minute, with Spartak failing to respond in a way that could alter the course of the game. Eduard Spertsyan then added another goal for Krasnodar in the 84th minute, sealing the final score and extending Spartak’s misfortune this season. The result reflected not only on the players on the field but also on the tactical approach employed by Abascal, who appeared unable to implement a convincing game pattern against a direct rival in the league. The performance was interpreted by fans and analysts as a clear signal that changes might be necessary to restore competitiveness (live update citation: socialbites.ca).
Current standings show Spartak placed eighth with ten points after the Krasnodar defeat. Prior to that match, the Red-Whites had accumulated two losses and one draw, revealing a troubling inconsistency in results that has intensified scrutiny of the coaching set-up. The negative trajectory has prompted discussions among supporters about the club’s strategy, including whether adjustments behind the scenes could help stabilize results in the near term. It remains to be seen how the leadership will balance rebuilding relationships within the squad with the need for tangible on-pitch improvements (match summary): citation from socialbites.ca.
In other commentary, Zarema had previously claimed that Abascal’s management style had left Spartak overly indulgent, a characterization that fed into the broader debate about whether the coach’s approach is sustainable at one of Russia’s most storied clubs. As the season progresses, observers will be watching closely to see whether the leadership opts for continuity with Abascal or opts for a reset that could change the club’s tactical philosophy and competitive direction. The discourse around Abascal’s tenure reflects wider questions about how Spartak prioritizes development, hiring decisions, and the pressure to deliver immediately in a highly scrutinized league (team analysis and fan sentiment): attribution from multiple sources.