Vladimir Bystrov, a former Spartak Moscow winger, urged that Guillermo Abascal should be dismissed following the contract extension. The remark underscores mounting frustration around Spartak’s direction after the renewal. Bystrov stated there were no positive signs in the team’s play after the contract was renewed and believed a change was necessary before the season resumed, a point he had already voiced prior to the pause.
Abascal assumed the post at Spartak ahead of the 2022/23 campaign and later agreed to a contract extension that included a salary increase as the season progressed. Under his management, the red-and-white finished third in the Russian Premier League last season. In the winter, reports circulated that Abascal could take over at Cadiz in Spain, sparking discussion about his future beyond Spartak.
On March 10, Spartak suffered a 0-2 defeat at Luzhniki against Fakel Voronezh. The loss left the club in sixth place with 31 points in the standings. Earlier in the season, there had been talk within the club about Abrascal’s role, with decisions indicating that a change in leadership could be on the table.
As the campaign progressed, questions about the strategic direction of Spartak and the sustainability of the team’s results continued to surface among fans and analysts alike, signaling a period of scrutiny for both the head coach and the club’s broader project.