Lippi to Spartak ? or Van Gaal ?

After last week’s second leg, which Spartak lost 5-2 on home turf, the Estonian-born former Russian international was confronted by supporters outside the Luzhniki demanding an explanation.

“Fucking get over here Valery,” shouted one fan, addressing Karpin with the informal “you”. Amazingly, he did, and spent a couple of minutes calmly batting off a range of half-baked questions and spit-flecked diatribes.

Some in the Russian media have praised Karpin for attempting to reason with the fans, but the incident only served to underline the Spartak coach’s increasing desperation. “Our motivation was bad?” Karpin said in response to one of the fans’ questions. “We created 15 chances!” Some have also been critical of Karpin’s rather industrial language too - attempting to compare Spartak’s performance in Europe with the other Russian Premier League sides he told one fan (while others sniggered): “Zenit fucking conceded three against Twente, fucking shitty Twente!”



Very funny but disrespectful to a team who are better than Spartak on a smaller budget.

Spartak are bottom of the league - conceded 5 to Porto twice, 3 to Kuban Krasnodar, 4 to Rostov


I don't think Lippi has got it any more but Van Gaal could be very interesting if given time, could be just what that league needs.

Don't think Lippi is past it, his cuntishness is still top class, but he's never been a match for Van Gaal's superior brilliance and expressive range.
I like Lippi's subtlety too but there's no doubt about who's the better act overall.

Now, do you also know who are the candidates for the coach position?

May be worth mentioning here - Lippi being linked to the QPR job in some English papers today. I can't help but think that it would be a spectacular fail.