Victoria Lopyreva reacts to Leonid Slutsky’s return to major football
The well known model and 2018 World Cup ambassador Victoria Lopyreva shared her thoughts on the return of Leonid Slutsky to top-tier football, following his recent appointment. Her remarks were carried by Sports Express and reflect both optimism and belief in his coaching abilities.
“I am very glad that Leonid Viktorovich is back in big football. He is a superb coaching mind and still very young in spirit. I wish him continued success,” Lopyreva commented. She also touched on the idea that Slutsky’s new assignment was situated in an unusual locale for a coach of his stature. While she jokes about her long involvement in football, she admits that moving to Chinese football felt like stepping into the unknown. Yet, she adds, fortune tends to favor the brave, and the move may open new opportunities for him and his teams.
In terms of recent club outcomes, Shanghai Shenhua ended the previous season in fifth place in the Chinese Super League, while Shandong topped the table as champions. Slutsky’s most recent position before this move was with Kazan’s Rubin, where the club finished near the bottom of the Russian Premier League during the 2021/22 campaign and faced relegation to the First League. He is also remembered for his tenure at CSKA Moscow, where he guided the team to the Russian Premier League title on three occasions and claimed the domestic Cup and the Super Cup twice.
Slutsky previously led the Russian national team from 2015 to 2016. During his time in charge, the national squad advanced to the knockout phase in the European Championship, ultimately finishing fourth in their group at Euro 2016.
Details about Slutsky’s contract with the new club were discussed publicly at the time, and observers noted how the agreement aligned with his track record in both domestic leagues and international competitions. The conversation around his return highlights the ongoing interest in his strategic approach and leadership style as he takes on new challenges in a different footballing environment.
Notes on the broader context of Slutsky’s career emphasize a pattern of moves across leagues in Europe and Asia, underlining the adaptability and resilience that have marked his coaching journey. Whether this latest chapter proves successful will depend on the ability to translate his past successes into results within a new league structure, team dynamics, and the competitive landscape facing his new squad. The discussion around his appointment also mirrors a wider trend of veteran coaches bringing experience to emerging markets, while fans and analysts watch to see how well such moves sustain long-term development for both players and teams. At stake is not only a return to form for Slutsky but also a potential shift in how teams in different regions approach coaching philosophy, training rigor, and tactical flexibility.
Attribution: Sports Express reported on Lopyreva’s remarks and Slutsky’s career trajectory.