Former Moscow Spartak standout and current football analyst Alexander Bubnov weighed in on the ongoing discussion about who might take over the Reds and Whites from Guillermo Abascal. In a column on a prominent sports site, Bubnov suggested that the pool of Russian coaches could deliver results comparable to or even better than Abascal, arguing that the issue lies more with fit and circumstances than with talent alone. He named several coaches who could merit consideration, including Shalimov, Pisarev, Titov, and Alenichev, and even floated withdrawing Tikhonov from Yenisei as a possibility. Bubnov also hinted that Mostovoy could present a compelling alternative to Abascal. The thrust of his argument was clear: the right approach, not the name, could yield improved performances for Spartak. [citation]
Historically, Guillermo Abascal took charge of Spartak ahead of the 2022/23 season. Under his guidance, the team finished the season in third place in the Russian Championship, a result that reflected a competitive but unsettled campaign. The latest results at the time showed Spartak facing a 0-2 defeat to Fakel Voronezh at the Luzhniki Stadium on March 10, a setback that did not help the team’s standing. Spartak sat in sixth place with 31 points, a position that motivated discussions about leadership changes and strategic direction for the club. [citation]
Following that round of fixtures, Zenit eased to a lead by defeating Ural, pushing their points tally to 40 and widening the gap atop the table. Krasnodar sat just one point behind, while Dinamo Moscow remained firmly in the top tier with 38 points. These shifts underscore the highly competitive nature of the league and the pressure on Spartak to recalibrate its approach if it hopes to climb higher in the standings. [citation]
Commentators have revisited Spartak’s recent form, revisiting past assessments offered by football observers such as Balakhnin, who provided analyses of the team’s shortcomings. The broader conversation centers on how a club with the history and resources of Spartak can optimize its coaching choices, player development, and match strategies to return to elite status. While there is no consensus on a successor, the debate highlights a wider reality in modern Russian football: coaching decisions carry significant weight in performance and fan expectations. [citation]