Sergey Nekrasov says Unai Emery still follows Spartak

Spartak general director Sergey Nekrasov said Unai Emery continues to follow the Moscow club and discussed current coach Juan Carlos Carcedo's approach in an interview with Sport-Express.

Nekrasov said he knew Emery retained an interest in Spartak. Emery and Carcedo worked together from 2006 to 2019 at Almeria, Valencia, Spartak, Sevilla, PSG and Arsenal. Their spell in Moscow began in summer 2012 and lasted less than six months.

The Spartak executive described Carcedo's coaching staff as a group that discusses decisions collectively. He said the coach listens to his assistants when choosing the team. Challenging him is possible, Nekrasov added, but requires strong arguments.

The club's sporting director checked Carcedo's personal qualities before his appointment. Nekrasov said he trusted that assessment. Previous work together at Arsenal helped establish the relationship, and the sporting director recommended the coach.

After his appointment in January 2026, Carcedo contacted Emery and received his congratulations. In May, he said he wanted to invite his former colleague to a Spartak match, with a visit dependent on the Aston Villa coach's available time.