The economic crisis has not spared Russian sport. So, in June 2015, the Torpedo football club announced debts in the amount of 220-230 million rubles and could not compete in the FNL championship. In conditions when income is in rubles and expenses are in euros, it is problematic for a football club to “survive”.
In such a difficult situation, competent management decisions are very important. Leonid Fedun managed, in the conditions of two crises, not only to keep Spartak afloat, but also to improve the club’s life.
About how Leonid Fedun saved Spartak, we will tell in our article.
Who is Leonid Fedun?
Leonid Fedun is not at all a “gray cardinal,” like many Russian oligarchs. A lot is known about this person.
Born in Kiev. The son of a military surgeon. He graduated from the Rostov Higher Military Command School, but did not follow in the footsteps of his father, but went into teaching. Today Leonid Fedun is a candidate of philosophical sciences.
In 1987, Vagit Alekperov met Fedun when he lectured at the Kogalymneftegaz oil industry and invited him to cooperate.
Since 1995, Leonid Fedun has been Vice President of OAO Lukoil.
Purchase by Leonid Fedun FC Spartak. “I can endure”
In 2004, Leonid Fedun became a shareholder of FC Spartak. The team was not in good shape, but a year later, under the leadership of Fedun, took silver at the Russian Championship.
In an interview, Leonid Fedun has repeatedly said that he can tolerate. 20 years in the army brought calm and the ability to wait. Apparently, thanks to these qualities, the Spartak FC shareholder was able to build and open the Otkrytie Arena stadium, which meets European standards and accommodates 45,000 fans, in the conditions of the 2008-2012 crisis.
This was the first step towards the realization of Leonid Fedun’s dream - to give Spartak a house. Another step towards a cherished dream is the restoration by Leonid Fedun of the Spartak Academy. It is in the Academy that the future “Spartacists” grow, who will free the club from the need to buy expensive legionnaires.
In addition to the fact that the Academy educates quality football players, it provides jobs, which are doubly valuable in a crisis. It’s not enough to love sports to be the head of a football club. It is important to have strategic thinking and communication skills.
Today we can say with confidence that Spartak not only survived the crisis, but also grew professionally and financially. And Leonid Fedun showed himself not only as the main fan of the national team, but also as a competent manager.
To a question in an interview with TASS: “When will Spartak become the champion of Russia?” - Leonid Fedun replied: "During my life." We believe.