Massimo Carrera, who once led Spartak Moscow, recalls that during his tenure in the capital club he saw Zarema Salikhova only a single time. The impression he shared emphasizes how limited any direct interaction was, noting that Salikhova accompanied the club president Leonid Fedun on a trip to a Europa League match. Beyond that brief encounter, Carrera stresses that there was never any meaningful opportunity or desire to converse with her in his role as coach.
According to Carrera, while he was at Spartak he did not witness Salikhova exert influence over player transfers or other key club decisions. His recollection remains firm: there was no involvement on her part in shaping the transfer policy or day-to-day football matters the team faced. He reinforces this by underscoring that he did not experience any friction or issues arising from her presence, which helped him focus on his responsibilities with the squad.
During the years 2016 to 2018, Carrera served as the head coach of Spartak, a period highlighted by notable achievements alongside the players. Under his leadership, the team secured the Russian championship title in the 2016/2017 season, a milestone that underscored the club’s competitive stature in domestic football. The triumph added a memorable chapter to Spartak’s long-standing history and contributed to the club’s standing in Russian football at the time.
By late in the current campaign, after 27 rounds in the Russian Premier League, Spartak had accumulated 34 points and stood in tenth place on the standings. Reports from that period described how the coaching staff and players navigated the season, aiming to climb the table and restore momentum in the league standings. The squad, led by Paolo Vanoli, managed to pull away from direct relegation danger as the season progressed, a development that gave the club a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Looking ahead, the Red-Whites prepared to face Ural in Yekaterinburg in the forthcoming round. They remained active in the Russian Cup race, with the semi-final scheduled against Krasnoyarsk Enisey on May 11. This fixture represented a critical opportunity to secure silverware and demonstrate resilience in a season marked by fluctuation. The team’s supporters and staff watched closely as the competition unfolded, hoping to translate potential into achievement on multiple fronts.
Rui Vitoria, who previously coached Spartak Moscow, reflected on his experiences in Russia and shared impressions about his time with the club. His observations offered an outside-in perspective on the work culture, the club’s approach to development, and the dynamics of managing elite Russian talent. His comments contributed to a broader conversation about managing a club with a storied history and passionate supporters, as Spartak continued to pursue sustained success on domestic stages.