The Honorar y President of the Russian Olympic Committee and Spartak supporter Alexander Zhukov shared his views on who would best lead Spartak as head coach. His remarks, cited by Sports Express, center on a cautious assessment of candidates and the preference for proven experience within Russia.
Zhukov has repeatedly weighed in on the debate surrounding Abascal. His stance remains consistent: Abascal is not considered a Spartak-level coach. He has long argued that an established Russian coach should be given priority over a younger foreign contender. He also noted that there are many local experts who understand the nuances of Russian football because they live and breathe it daily, and therefore not many names need to be singled out publicly.
Abascal assumed the role of Spartak head coach before the start of the 2022/23 campaign. During his tenure, he secured a contract extension accompanied by a salary increase as the season advanced. In the most recent campaign, Spartak achieved third place in the Russian Championship under his leadership.
In the latest Premier League matchups, Spartak defeated Krylya Sovetov Samara 3-0 in the 18th round. This victory helped Guillermo Abascal and his squad accumulate 30 points, placing them in fifth in the standings. At the top, Krasnodar leads with 38 points, while Zenit St. Petersburg climbed to second with 36 points following the season’s final rounds. Dinamo Moscow sits in third with 32 points, and Marcel Lička’s team follows closely behind.
With the league taking a winter hiatus, attention shifts to the resumption in March. The 19th round opens with Spartak scheduled to travel to St. Petersburg to face Zenit, presenting a stern test as the season continues to unfold.
A former Spartak player offered praise for the current style of play, describing the team’s approach as three-plus, a reference to a balance of defensive organization and attacking intent that remains a hallmark of the club’s philosophy.