Dejan Stanković (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Dejan Stanković has led Hungarian giants Ferencvaros to the top of their domestic league in the 2023/24 season.
It seemed his next step would be a move to Italy's Serie A, but the Serbian coach surprised many by choosing to join Spartak Moscow. Despite having a valid contract with the Budapest club, Stanković covered the €200,000 release clause himself.
Several Russian media outlets reported that the 45-year-old paid the compensation out of his own pocket to take the managerial position at Spartak. It is likely that the Moscow club will reimburse him through a higher salary or various bonuses. Stanković aims to return Spartak to the pinnacle of Russian football. The club last won the national championship in the 2016/17 season and secured the Russian Cup in the 2021/22 season.
The Russian league is heading into its final round, with Dynamo and Zenit competing for the title, while Spartak is expected to finish in 5th place.