The long-suffering Russian hockey team has finally found a head coach. As Izvestia expected, the two-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion Vyacheslav Bykov was appointed the national team's mentor. After a brilliant career in CSKA and the USSR national team, he left for Switzerland, played there until he was 40 years old, and then returned to train an army club. Izvestia correspondent Boris Titov spoke to Bykov.
Are you ready now to name the composition of the first five, which will act under your leadership?
I will name the team only on August 30, before flying to Stockholm, where we will hold the Eurotour starting match. Therefore, until we rush things. Unexpected problems can arise at any time, whether it is the preparation of exit documents or injuries.
Even in the extended list of the national team, the name of Evgeni Malkin does not appear. Is he expelled due to escape?
Not at all. Remember that Malkin terminated the contract with Metallurg in June and was preparing to leave for the NHL. In this situation, it was unlikely that he should be pulled once again. In my "clip" he still remains. But first, you need to determine his location and ask if he is ready to play for the national team. We will not force anyone to step out from under the stick.
Will there be a balance between players from Russia and the NHL?
There is no question of any balance! The strongest will play in the national team, regardless of the clubs they represent. I hope in this for the help of the presidents and head coaches of our super league. And to get players from the NHL, you need to regulate relations with her bosses. Otherwise, they may not let the Russians go to the World Cup in Moscow under various pretexts.
Not the first year the Russian team has been hungry for good goalkeepers. In your opinion, is the problem so serious?
If this were not so, it is unlikely that the FHR would have to come up with a big contribution for the clubs to invite foreign goalkeepers. On my list are five candidates from domestic clubs for the goalkeeper position in the national team. Closer to the World Cup, the famous Vladimir Myshkin will start working with them. We will not lose touch with the guys who are overseas. One of my assistants, Sergei Nemchinov, flew to North America to view the NHL players and negotiate with them.
Will he take part in a training camp for legionnaires organized in Chicago by the president of the FHR, Vladislav Tretyak?
No, he will work at the headquarters of the national team at the České Poyištovny Cup - the first stage of the Eurotour. Together with me and Igor Zakharkin. A gathering in Chicago will hold the Tretyak.
The president of the federation will pick up the whistle and stopwatch?
I don’t see anything strange in this. All the leading Russian coaches are employed in clubs, and Tretyak has coaching experience. In addition, an experienced physical training specialist, Viktor Fedorov, will help him.
Critics say that you do not have enough experience, not only in the team, but at the club level ...
Responding to criticism can only be successful work with the team. A worthy result, I will consider one of the sets of awards of the 2007 World Cup in Moscow. As a maximalist, I aim myself and I will aim the guys at gold.
The leadership of CSKA loyally reacted to the fact that you will combine two positions?
The club clearly supported my decision. And I am grateful for that.
What did they say in the family?
Wished success. Wife, daughter and son still live in Switzerland. I hope to cut out a little time in a busy schedule for meetings with them.
Boris TITOV