Spartak Moscow midfielder Nail Umyarov has dismissed any suggestion that the managerial change at their rivals CSKA Moscow played a role in their Russian Cup final victory. Speaking after the match, Umyarov emphasized that his team's focus was entirely internal and unaffected by the opposition's coaching situation.
The statement came following Spartak's narrow 1-0 triumph over CSKA in the final of the Regions Path Fonbet Russian Cup. The win secured the trophy for Spartak, capping off their cup campaign with a hard-fought derby victory against their city rivals.
CSKA had entered the final under the guidance of an interim coaching setup after parting ways with head coach Fabio Celestini. The 50-year-old Swiss specialist had been appointed as CSKA's manager on June 20, 2025. However, his tenure ended on May 4, 2026, when the club announced the mutual termination of his contract.
The decision to dismiss Celestini came during a challenging period for CSKA. The team had already been eliminated from the Russian Cup and was sitting in sixth place in the Russian Premier League standings with just two rounds remaining in the season. This position was below the expectations typically held for one of Russia's most storied clubs.
Despite the backdrop of CSKA's coaching turmoil, Umyarov was clear in his post-match comments that Spartak's preparation and performance were not influenced by the off-field events at their opponent. "The resignation of Celestini had no effect on us," Umyarov stated, as relayed by correspondent Alexander Yershov of Chempionat.
The victory represents a significant achievement for Spartak, adding a major domestic cup to their honors. For CSKA, the defeat compounds a disappointing season that saw them fall short in cup competition and struggle for consistency in the league under both Celestini and his temporary replacement.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
