Alexey Popov, a former Rubin Kazan player, spoke about betting legality in an interview. He expressed doubts that Sochi can uphold its standing in the Russian Premier League (RPL).
Popov argued that the Black Sea club may not find a way to escape relegation with the arrival of the new coach, Robert Moreno.
He offered a blunt prediction: a ten percent chance that Sochi will be saved. He questioned the rationale behind Moreno’s hiring, suggesting the choice does not appear to be a decisive measure. In Popov’s view, Moreno is not a firefighter who can extinguish the team’s problems. He even mentioned that he would have preferred Rashid Rakhimov in Moreno’s place.
Popov added that Moreno must grasp the realities of Russia, including the country’s spirit and mentality, to effectively work with Russian players and fans.
Moreno was appointed head coach of Sochi, the club announced, with the 46-year-old Spanish coach having previously led the Spain national team as well as clubs like Monaco and Granada. His tenure at Grenoble ended in March 2022.
After 18 rounds in the RPL, Sochi found themselves at the bottom of the table with 11 points, a season marked by instability as the club changed coaches three times.
In related commentary, a former agent drew a playful comparison, likening Spartak Moscow to Philip Kirkorov in a remark about showmanship versus results.