"I talk to Sobolev every day, we discuss RPL"

At the end of March, former Spartak Moscow coach Guillermo Abascal left Mexico's Atletico San Luis, which he led for less than a year. And he immediately declared that he was ready to return to the RPL — and to almost any club. In an interview with Izvestia, the Spanish specialist spoke about the Latin American stage of his career, his love for Moscow and his desire to work in Russian football again.

I wanted to invite Khlusevich, Prutsev and Boselli to Mexico.

— Atlético San Luis recently announced your departure. What happened?

— I had a two-year contract, but to be honest, I realized a long time ago that this was not my place. Therefore, together with the club, we decided to terminate the agreement by mutual consent. I was uncomfortable in the team. I am grateful to Atletico, but unfortunately, this is not the football that I love.

— The wrong football?

— In Mexico, the level [of football] is basically lower than the European level. There is chaos in every match, especially in the last minutes. But most of all, I didn't like the format of the championship: 17 matches, then the playoffs. Even if you take tenth place, you can win the title. To me, this is absurd. And the atmosphere in the stadiums is completely different — I'm not saying "bad" or "good". I just don't share it.

Yes, the fans are passionate, but in some ways their support is more like music - as if it were not a podium, but an orchestra. And, for example, the Tigres fans are too aggressive towards their own players.

— You invited Jesus Medina to Atletico.

— After the sale of left winger Vitinha, we needed an experienced 27-28-year-old player. At the same time, the club did not want to spend money — this is another reason why the project did not develop. At the same time, Jesus became a free agent, having terminated his contract with Damak from Saudi Arabia, and was going to return closer to home. I immediately told the management that I know this guy and he needs to be hired. He performed well: he scored a goal and provided three assists.

— Have you tried to poach someone else from Spartak?

— I wanted to take Khlusevich and Prutsev. And Boselli! But they are all too expensive. We didn't have that kind of money.

— What shocked you the most about Mexico?

— When you arrive there, you enter another world. I've worked in many countries, but in Mexico everything is different — the food, the streets, the mentality... The stadiums are very old. The best people there are. We made new friends, and everyone was very friendly and helpful. The Mexicans are great. But I didn't like everything else.

— The main attraction of the country is Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city. Did you go there?

— Of course! We have an analyst, by the way, a Russian guy. Daniil Bazhenov! He came to Granada with us, and then we worked in Mexico. So he's a real tourist! I bought a motorcycle and literally traveled all over the country.

— Luis Chavez said that there is a lot of crime, drug trafficking, theft in Mexico...

— Yes, one of the leaders of the drug cartel was recently eliminated... It was a little scary. Of course, there is little safety in Mexico. There are streets where you can't go out at night because they can get robbed. Or kill him. I remember a conversation with Medina. When he first arrived with his wife, I asked him, "How are you in Mexico? Is everything okay?" And they answered in one voice: "You know, Moscow is still the best city in the world." And an employee of the Spanish embassy once told me: "There is no safer city than Moscow."

— Have the Atletico players asked you about Russia?

— Yes, they were interested in the history of Spartak. Daniel and I, who speaks excellent Spanish, talked a lot about Russia. They said, guys, it's much safer there than here.

— Did you teach them the Russian mat?

—Haha, a little bit! We could have sworn among ourselves...

— What was the hardest thing to get used to in Mexico?

— The main problem is the height above sea level. We lived at an altitude of 1800 meters, and we played even at 2200 meters... That's a lot! It's impossible to breathe, even though you're not running, you're just sitting still.

When Mexicans traveled to the United States as part of CONCACAF, they always lost, and when American teams came, they looked like amateurs who came out to play against professionals.

Plus, the flights are very long: we flew to Tijuana for more than three and a half hours. And once we played at 96% humidity - there was simply nothing to breathe.

With Ugalde and Quincy, we could have become champions.

— What are you going to do next?

— I'm going to Russia.

— You said that you want to attend the Spartak match.

— Yes, we want to go to the stadium with our family. I saw that the game against Krasnodar on April 23rd was just great. The second option is to attend the match against Rubin on May 11.

— Immediately after your dismissal, you said that you would most like to return to the RPL. Because of the unfinished work at Spartak?

— The situation at Spartak in the second year of my work was difficult. But not because of the results, but because of some circumstances. I'll explain: we took a team with young Russian players and brought it to the third place without investments. I would like to emphasize: one of the youngest teams in the league! And then what happened? When we wanted to strengthen, a leapfrog began: three changes of sports director — Luca Cattani, Paul Ashworth, Tomas Amaral. The CEO was changed twice — Evgeny Melezhikov, Oleg Malyshev. Plus the situation with Jikiya, which the club has not been able to resolve.

— Jikiya's agent said that the problem was between you and George.

"The truth is, there was nothing between us. Although you, journalists, have written many different things. You also inflated the situation around Sobolev, and I still communicate with him every day. We exchange thoughts about the Russian championship.

— Then why did you leave the club?

— There is no one reason — there were a number of certain things. Do you remember the terrorist attack at the Crocus? At that moment, we were in Baku, where we were supposed to play against Neftchi, but the match was canceled. Plus, I just had a son. There have been changes in the team — for example, Quincy Promes was arrested in Dubai.

But if you look at that squad, with Ugalde and Quincy coming in, which, let's say, would have been available... I am convinced that we could become champions.

Instead, the events that I mentioned earlier took place. And which I'm very tired of. If the club's position had been more stable, we would have competed for gold. Now I want to come back, because I still think my football is suitable for the RPL.

Yes, many teams act defensively. I can give you something more. My football is aggressive, attacking. I already have experience working in Russia. I would like to come back and show that I can achieve good results at other clubs. Besides, I enjoyed working with Russian football players. They are very motivated.

— Spartak is currently in sixth place.

— And we finished third, with a very young and inexperienced squad. All that was needed was stability. Not changes every four months. I'll take the title at a more stable club.

Returning to Spartak, I can say this: the team has really strengthened now, and they have invested well in it. I remember our most expensive player was Anton Zinkovsky.

— And now a Jedson for 23 million euros. And then there's Levi over 20.

— I think my return will be a triumph. If I come back, it will be a special moment for me and my family because they love Russia.

— Do you want to return only to Spartak? Or would you consider other clubs?

— I understand that Spartak is a family. I've never been so well received in my life as I was there. But I'm also open to other teams because I know the league and I understand my strengths. I constantly monitor the RPL.

— Given your Spartak background, would you go to work for CSKA or Dynamo?

- of course. If I were a Russian football player, that would be one thing. But I'm still a foreigner. The main thing is that the coach should be allowed to work. I know the league level, I know the tactics of other coaches. So potentially Dynamo and CSKA are good options.

— Have you received any offers since leaving Atletico?

- no. But now I'm resting. Although mentally ready for a new challenge. If a club is interested in me in a difficult situation, for example, on the verge of relegation, or a team that decides to change its coach, then I am ready. But now I want to spend some time with my family and make an informed decision about my future. I wouldn't go back to Mexico!

— You said that you are still in touch with Sobolev. He's in good shape now!

— He is a fantastic football player. In my first season at Spartak, I scored 10 goals and provided 15 assists. And most of them use their left foot, although Sasha is right—handed. We played a "diamond" game, Sobolev would go to the right flank and hit Quincy with his left — it was incredible!

Sasha is a very peculiar player. If he's one hundred percent focused on football, there's no stopping him. The problem is that this doesn't always happen.

What you can't take away from Sobolev is his size: tall, with long arms and legs. It's almost impossible to take the ball away from him. Plus he's very stubborn! It's kind of funny, though. I like working with difficult players.

— Did you see his dive in the match against Dynamo?

— Sobolev always did something like that. I saw Sasha put on a snorkeling mask! He's just like that by nature.

— I won the competition from John Duran.

— Duran needs to adapt. He is an expensive football player of excellent level, but not everyone can immediately prove himself in different leagues. And that's okay.

— Which of the Russian football players have you been asked about in Europe?

— Previously, many Italian clubs were interested in Nail Umyarov. Especially when he started playing regularly in the 2023/24 season. I think Nail will go to Serie A — Italian clubs often look for players of this type. Of course, the political situation can make adjustments, but I repeat: Italy would be ideal for Umyarov.

The Italians were also interested in Tyukavin. And in Spain they asked about Batrakov. There were inquiries about Khlusevich, either from Bologna or Fiorentina.

​​Carcedo consulted with me before joining Spartak

— You probably know Juan Carlos Carcedo.

- of course. We met when he and Unai Emery worked at Sevilla. And the goalkeeper coach Nacho, who was part of their staff, is a good friend of my family.

I have great respect for Juan Carlos. He did a great job at Paphos. By the way, Carcedo consulted with me before heading Spartak. I wished him luck and told him I was at his disposal. He already knew the club because he had been there 13 years ago, but I told him a little bit about the atmosphere and the players to help him adapt. Juan Carlos is a very polite and well—prepared coach for the Russian realities. I hope he succeeds.

— Which of the players you've worked with has made the most progress?

— After my departure, no one. Ha ha! Seriously, Umyarov has added leadership qualities. I also keep an eye on Prutsev. I swear, Danil seems to me to be a very strong player: he runs 13 kilometers per match! He always manages to do it everywhere, both on the ball and without. Both, in my opinion, have grown a lot.

— Carcedo uses Zobnina on the left in defense.

— Roman is a fantastic football player. He has a great personality, he is a real team player who always helps everyone. As for his position on the field, he only has to play in goal. I think he can do it.

— Every Spartak coach works under enormous pressure. Did it bother you?

— Indeed, in Russia, everyone is talking about Spartak. However, in the end, there is more noise than content. However, if I said that I would return to Russia, it is precisely because I like this feeling of pressure! Everyone is looking at your actions under a microscope, as closely as possible — in search of a sensation. And it's great! There was no such thing in Mexico. And I suffer when there is no pressure. I need it vitally. Do you understand?

— I understand. It is difficult without Alexander Mostovoy's criticism.

— Celta's number ten, right? He and the Israeli Revivo in that team were great! By the way, did Karpin also play for Celta? Although I remember him more from Real Sociedad.

— Karpin trains, unlike Mostovy.

— Does he have a coaching license? Then Mostovoy could work in the RPL. Is he not invited?

— He wants to lead a big team right away.

— It's like I want it to rain in Mexico. But that doesn't happen.

— In your opinion, has the level of Russian football changed in the last two or three years?

— The level has not increased, but it is stable. Krasnodar became the champion, largely because they kept the backbone and built the project. This is a positive moment. As for the league, there are enough low-block clubs in the RPL. This creates a lot of space for attacks to develop. In general, those who have relied on the long-term sustainability of the project, rather than on constant changes in the structure, are progressing.

— Have you watched the Baltic matches?

— Yes, I like how the team plays outs. It's difficult to play against her.

— Which team in Russia is the most interesting for you right now?

— If we evaluate the project, then Krasnodar. But I really like Dynamo in terms of composition. I think they have players who could perform better than in the first part of the season. You can fight for the championship with such a squad.