Former Russia Captain Jokingly Calls Coach Alba 'Half-Russian'

Former Russia captain Viktor Onopko, now part of Rostov«s coaching staff, jokingly called the team»s head coach Jonathan Alba «half-Russian.»

«Jonathan has been in Russia for several years now. He has been working at Rostov for almost eight years. You could say he»s half-Russian. His children even speak Russian better than I do,« Onopko said in an interview with Match TV.

According to Onopko, the Spanish specialist has deeply studied the local mentality and places great emphasis on discipline. «Jonathan wants the team to have good discipline and atmosphere — that»s very important. The guys fulfill all his requirements and listen. We convey to the players that by meeting weight and regimen requirements, they can become better,« the coach added.

Jonathan Alba joined Rostov in 2018 as an analyst. In February 2025, after Valery Karpin«s resignation, he took over the team and in his first season led them to the Russian Cup Superfinal, where Rostov lost to CSKA in a penalty shootout.