Zarema Salikhova, the spouse of former Moscow Spartak owner Leonid Fedun, has stressed that head coach Guillermo Abascal is unlikely to leave his post in the near term. Speaking to Sports Express, she urged patience and suggested that the leadership has not drawn the line on Abascal’s tenure despite a rough patch in results. Salikhova asserted that recent setbacks should not automatically be read as a verdict on the coach, arguing that the difficulties are not solely his fault and that the expectations placed on Abascal are unusually high. She pointed to the reality that the club needs stability and a measured approach during a transition period, countering whispers that a rapid shake-up would be the easiest fix for a faltering spell.
According to Salikhova, the notion of Abascal as a guaranteed, long-term solution is a misread of the team’s current situation. The coach, she noted, has inherited a squad fighting for form and confidence, and the public demand for immediate, dramatic change can overlook the nuances of building a competitive unit. The emphasis, she said, should remain on strategic planning and disciplined work rather than acting on reactive impulses. Her comments reflect a broader debate within the club about how to navigate a challenging phase while preserving the core philosophy and long-term goals that have defined Spartak for years.
In the latest fixture on September 2, Spartak were defeated away by Krasnodar with a 0-2 scoreline. The match saw Bulls forward John Cordoba find the net in the 39th minute, followed by Eduard Spertsyan doubling Krasnodar’s lead in the 84th minute. The result underscored the visitors’ struggle to break down a stubborn Krasnodar defense and to convert chances into goals. Spartak’s supporters, accustomed to the club’s storied attacking tradition, watched as the team contended with a strategic setup that rewarded patient, compact defending and swift counters. The loss contributed to a growing impatience among sections of the fanbase and drew renewed scrutiny on how Spartak could regain momentum heading into the tougher part of the schedule.
With the setback, Spartak sit eighth in the league table, accumulating ten points. The point haul from ten games paints a picture of a squad that has shown flashes of quality but remains inconsistent, especially in front of goal and in maintaining intensity across full matches. The club faces the difficult task of turning sporadic performances into a sustained run of results. The wider conversation among analysts and observers centers on whether changes at the coaching level are necessary, or if a period of regrouping and tactical reinforcement could yield a more stable and productive run of performances as the season progresses.
Former player and pundit Evgeny Lovchev recently criticized Spartak, describing the club as a source of embarrassment and mockery amid ongoing struggles. Lovchev’s critique has amplified the sense that fans and former insiders alike are demanding clarity and accountability from the leadership and playing staff. The exchange highlights the tension between a club with storied prestige and the current realities of results, squad depth, and development. In this climate, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether Spartak can reconnect with its traditions of resilience and fearless, open play while managing expectations in a highly competitive league.