Former Russia national team and Zenit veteran Vladislav Radimov weighs in on Guillermo Abascal’s status at Spartak, suggesting the coach no longer wants to stay with the club. He spoke to Match TV about the situation.
Radimov has been vocal for weeks, implying that Abbascal desires a move away. He notes that the coach is running out of options to exit gracefully, and that leaving sleeping giants on the bench serves no one. The message he delivers is simple: stop the pressure on Spartak and allow a clean transition. In his view, Abascal may be thinking about his next move and the club should not be forced to bear the burden of a prolonged standoff. The public line is that Abascal would benefit from a fresh environment where his football influence could be applied without the surrounding turmoil, a stance Radimov frames as necessary for both sides. (Match TV)
According to Radimov, the club needs to find a way to disengage without causing further damage to the team chemistry. He argues that there is a sense the coach no longer wants to be in Moscow, and he warns that continuing the current dynamic would only hinder Spartak’s season goals. The message is clear: protect the club’s interests, avoid propping up players on the bench, and let the coaching situation settle naturally. (Match TV)
Meanwhile, Spartak recently faced a series of tough results that have intensified the discussion around leadership and strategy. On October 4, Spartak were eliminated from the Russian Cup after a 0:3 loss to Dynamo. Fomin, Bitello, and Zazvonkin found the net for Dynamo, underscoring the gap Spartak must close. Despite the setback, Spartak secured a place in the playoffs, an outcome that keeps the team in contention while the coaching question lingers. (Match TV)
Prior to that, on October 1, Spartak suffered a heavy 0:4 defeat at Krylya Sovetov Samara in the Russian Championship. The visitors struck twice inside 25 minutes thanks to Yuri Gorshkov, with Garre and Shitov adding goals in the second half. The result fueled discussions about the direction of the squad and the role of the head coach amid a run of disappointing performances. (Match TV)
Historically, figures connected to Spartak have weighed in on the situation as well. Igor Kolyvanov, a respected former player and coach, suggested that the Russian specialist could face a longer period of sidelining if the club continues to post poor results. His assessment reflects a broader sentiment about accountability and the need for strategic clarity within Spartak as the season progresses. (Match TV)