Football
The ex-player of the Latvian national team said that Ashworth was next to Spartak during the February training camp
Former football player of Riga, Ventspils and the Latvian national team Yuri Zhigaev told Metaratings.ru that Paul Ashworth was present at the friendly match between Spartak and Riga during the winter training camp of the Red-Whites in the UAE.
The game took place on February 2, 2022, when Paolo Vanoli was still the head coach of Spartak, and the club belonged to Leonid Fedun. Last week, the general director of Spartak, Evgeny Melezhikov, announced that a foreigner would become the new sports director of the club. Later, Metaratings.ru reported that Ashworth was applying for the position, which Italian Luca Cattani left in mid-July. Sources of the “Championship” also confirmed this information.
– Yes, they are surprised (in Latvia there is information that Ashworth is applying for a leadership position in Spartak – ed.). But not that it was like that, it was just unexpected. In my opinion, it was in winter, when Spartak played a friendly game with Riga, I saw Paul in the photos. Apparently, there were some connections. Therefore, when you already rewind, it is not so unexpected.
– Did I understand you correctly, what did you see at the match “Spartak” – “Riga” Eushort at the training camp? He had nothing to do with FC Riga.
— I understand that there was some talk about the fact that some company from the Emirates wanted…. Well, he must have been there. I don’t see another. These are all my conjectures.
– In your opinion, how could Paul Ashworth hook the leadership of Lukoil, that they made a decision in his favor? Does he have some charm, charisma? What is the reason?
– He knows Russian, this is very important. When an Englishman speaks Russian, I think it is important for people. He knows how to win over, he understands football, he can agree or disagree, he has his own vision. There are connections, as I said, I worked at Brighton. His brother is also not the last person in English football. He was the sporting director of the entire English Football Federation, if I’m not mistaken. Maybe he wants to go with Spartak in a different way, the European one. Well, it’s hard for me to say how and why.
Source: Sportbox
Thomas Astudillo is a sports journalist and author who writes for Sportish. He has a deep love and knowledge of sports, and is known for his engaging and informative writing on the latest sports news and events.
For many, the coming year is associated with bright hopes and expectations of changes for the better in life and work. The famous football coach is no exception. Vladimir SharanShared with the reporter Spor.ua Statements about the New Year theme.
– Until what age did you believe in Santa Claus?
– I don’t even remember. Probably up to age six. No more. Until I went to school.
– What is the most unusual New Year celebration in your life?
– The most unusual and extraordinary was the New Year, which I spent in Israel during my stay as a player in the USSR youth team. An international tournament was organized in this country, in which our team participated. It’s plus twenty outside and we’re celebrating the new year in shorts and T-shirts.
The next day we had to play against the Swedish national team in the final. The Swedes sat next to our table on New Year’s Eve, they saw how we relaxed, and how we relaxed. Believe me, we rested much better and played much better (smiles). As it turned out, the Swedes were very weak at the festive table. We won the final match 2-0.
– As a Ukrainian citizen and a football coach, what do you expect from the new year 2026?
– To be honest, everyone is waiting for one thing; peace. And I’m not the only one who can say that. If there is peace, everything will return to normal. I really want the war to end as soon as possible, for people to be free, for parents not to bury their children. This is the most important thing. And as a coach, I expect changes for the better in our football.
I would like the Ukrainian championship to be full-fledged and finally achieve some kind of stability. And also for the Ukrainian national team to successfully pass the World Cup play-off tests and please the fans as often as possible. I also really want the football players in our club to have a good future, to become real football masters, to gain recognition and to be invited to various national teams.
Source: Sport UA
I am a writer at Sportish, where I mainly cover sports news. I’ve also written for The Guardian and ESPN Brasil, and my work has been featured on NBC Sports, SI.com and more. Before working in journalism, I was an athlete: I played football for Colgate University and competed in the US Open Cross Country Championships.
Ukraine national football teams completed 2025and the Ukrainian Football Federation summarize the results.
UAF releases all goals of men’s and women’s national teams in 2025
Sergei Rebrov’s team had an unsuccessful start to 2025, losing to Belgium in the Nations League play-offs (3:1, 0:3). The blue-yellows played two friendly matches against Canada (2:4) and New Zealand (2:1) in June.
In the autumn, the Ukrainian team qualified for the 2026 World Cup and took second place in the group with France, Iceland and Azerbaijan. The blue-yellows made it to the play-offs to participate in the World Cup. During the year, the team had 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, average score: 17-20.
VIDEO. All goals of the Ukrainian men’s team in 2025
VIDEO. All goals of the Ukrainian women’s team in 2025
Source: Sport UA
I am a writer at Sportish, where I mainly cover sports news. I’ve also written for The Guardian and ESPN Brasil, and my work has been featured on NBC Sports, SI.com and more. Before working in journalism, I was an athlete: I played football for Colgate University and competed in the US Open Cross Country Championships.
Ukraine national football teams completed 2025and the Ukrainian Football Federation summarize the results.
UAF reported: “In 2025, 156 matches (including friendly matches against clubs) were played by Ukrainian national, junior and youth men’s and women’s football teams, futsal, beach football and amphibious teams.”
Sergei Rebrov’s team had an unsuccessful start to 2025, losing to Belgium in the Nations League play-offs (3:1, 0:3). The blue-yellows played two friendly matches against Canada (2:4) and New Zealand (2:1) in June.
In the autumn, the Ukrainian team qualified for the 2026 World Cup and took second place in the group with France, Iceland and Azerbaijan. The blue-yellows made it to the play-offs to participate in the World Cup. During the year, the team had 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, average score: 17-20.
Statistics: 10 matches of the Ukrainian national team in 2025 (+5=1–4)
infographics
Source: Sport UA
I am a writer at Sportish, where I mainly cover sports news. I’ve also written for The Guardian and ESPN Brasil, and my work has been featured on NBC Sports, SI.com and more. Before working in journalism, I was an athlete: I played football for Colgate University and competed in the US Open Cross Country Championships.
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