Malik Fathi: Coming back to Spartak to sit on the bench makes no sense

Mainz 05 defender Malik Fathi, who is currently on loan from Spartak Moscow, declared he is not sure about his future at the Russian club.

«Would you like to spend the next season in Mainz 05 as well?»

«I don’t know yet. I think that after the end of the season Mainz 05 will hold talks with Spartak who own the rights to my contract. Let’s see what they will come to. Now I don’t even think about returning to Spartak.»

«But do you want to go back to Russia?»

«It is hard to say. Everything has changed in Spartak, while I’ve been at Mainz. Now they have another coach, other players, other team. Therefore, I find it hard to say, if the club needs me or not.»

«What are your memories about Russia and Moscow?»

«A big city, enormous traffic jams, a lot of snow. But people are very nice indeed.»

«Haven’t you forgotten the Russian language?»

«I do forget it bit by bit. Sometimes I speak Russian with Slovak Rado Zabavnik, my teammate, who also used to play in Russia. If you don’t practice the language, you will forget it very soon.»

«Some Bundesliga coaches are on the list of candidates for the vacant head coach position at Spartak – for example, Louis van Gaal. If the Dutchman takes the place and wants you back, what would you say?»

«I can not refuse to play for Spartak, because I have a contract with the club. But in this case I would like to know some simple things: does the club need me and do I have any chances to earn a place in the starting line-up? Coming back to sit on the bench makes no sense. As for van Gaal, let’s first see if he comes to Spartak – and then I’ll think it all over», said the player in an interview with Sports Daily.