In Paris, the Portuguese football official currently serving with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly rejected Spartak Moscow’s overture, a development highlighted by Euro-Football.Ru. This note underscores Spartak Moscow’s ongoing quest for a director who can shape recruitment and the broader sporting strategy amid rising competition across European football. The emphasis is on finding a leader who can align talent acquisition with the club’s long-term goals, while navigating the demanding realities of modern top-tier football.
Spartak has expressed interest in appointing Kampusch as sporting director, which would bring a manager with European exposure to Moscow. The club also explored Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe for the same role, though public updates on talks remain sparse, signaling that discussions could shift as negotiations move forward or stall. The sense is that Spartak is keeping options open while assessing candidates who can bring a clear sporting philosophy and proven track record at the European level.
The team is actively pursuing external candidates to fill the sporting director post following the departure of Paul Ashworth. Journalist Ivan Karpov noted that while Eshourt is unlikely to depart Spartak, his responsibilities might evolve away from direct team-building and transfers. Ashworth began his tenure in September 2022, after stints with Astana and Brighton, and his career has included several international chapters. His experiences span multiple football cultures, including time in Latvia, where he formed strong local ties. This breadth illustrates the kind of leadership Spartak might seek to bridge domestic campaigns with European competition and to guide a cohesive, long-range sporting plan.
In the Russian Premier League, Spartak has faced a challenging stretch. After 14 rounds, the side sat on 21 points, sharing sixth place with Lokomotiv. The most recent league fixture ended in a 1-1 draw against Lokomotiv, highlighted by a red card to Khlusevich in the first half, which forced Spartak to press on with ten players for a considerable period. Looking ahead, the squad prepares for a clash with Rostov, aiming to rebuild momentum and climb the table as the season progresses and broader European ambitions are pursued.
Earlier, Guillermo Abascala drew praise for guiding Spartak through the stalemate with Lokomotiv, with observers commending the tactical discipline and the resilience displayed by the squad on that day. This recognition reflects the wider expectations at Spartak as leadership transitions unfold and plans take shape for sustained success in domestic competition while pursuing meaningful results in European play. The commentary from analysts underscores the club’s desire to maintain a stable, results-driven approach during this period of change and to establish a clear path toward both immediate wins and long-term growth.