By the way, after the dismissal, Gil returned Antich to lead the “mattresses” twice more. As a firefighter, he was called to Zaragoza, Oviedo, and Celta. Nine matches of the middle of the season 2003/2004 at the head of the doomed Galisians became his last coaching practice. Then the Serb vowed to accept commands during the season.
But Antich doesn’t change the habit of not getting into a pocket for a word and puts his own views above all else. In the excerpts offered here, from an interview with the Serbian online publication B92, the coach living in Madrid appears to be an extraordinary expert in Spanish football reality.
- So far, you have trained exclusively Spanish clubs. How important is it for you to work here?
- For twenty-eight years I have been creating an image and building a career in a country where they respect it. In Spain, I found peace and got job satisfaction. And this to some extent slows down plans to work somewhere else. Invitations are received, new opportunities open each week. And I have a great desire to be on the coaching bench again. I think the next stage has begun, at which Antic needs football. Today, the game depends solely on the physical condition of the performers. And the gym, unfortunately, has become the main training ground for work. As a result of this, today in the Example about fifty players for one reason or another do not go on the field. I think we need a serious analysis of what is happening ...
- In what state, in your opinion, is Spanish football?
- As for the national team, it is experiencing a crisis in the leadership. Aragones, whom I respect, stated that he would leave after the mundial. But then he changed his mind, because of which, it seems to me, he lost authority. This is evidenced by the beginning of the qualifying tournament: a couple of poor results - and the team is in a deep crisis.
As for club football, the “Barcelona” carries the idea of a modern attacking game, which has not yet taken root.
And “Real” still feels the consequences of a catastrophic three-year period. He is now playing on the model of Capello. But she has not yet received the support of the fans. The team has achieved some good results, but the debate continues. And the involvement of young players from the outside is an indicator of the club’s lack of a clear vector of development.
“Atletico” again spent a lot of money. But they are not enough if there is no criterion for team formation. He acquired three Dynamo Moscow players, and Mista appeared, scoring only three goals last season. And the best player of the team Fernando Torres was no longer invited to the team.
A similar situation in the “Valencia”. There, transfers were made for the media, and not for the good of the cause.
Here is Sevilla - a club whose time is coming. The coach leads the team very well, and I won’t be surprised if she becomes the main contender for the champion title.
- Last season, Spanish clubs won both European Cups. Today they should be considered favorites?
- Real Madrid and Valencia have already guaranteed themselves access to the Champions League playoffs. Now the turn of “Barcelona”. Injury Eto'o deprived a lot of “Barca” in the team plan.
On the other hand, the “Real” is characterized by constant intra-team friction. On the bench Beckham, Ronaldo, Reyes. All this creates stress. In this situation, Cassano broke, which was first expelled, and then returned. Such instability leads to outbursts of discontent, and one or two bad results only aggravate it ...
“Valencia” is in crisis, there are many injured. But the biggest challenge remains team management. One of the leaders of the club Carbone and coach Kike Sanchez Flores are in constant quarrel. A truce is possible only with good results. But it does not last long.
- If possible, more about the situation in Real Madrid ...
- The club has a fantastic history, the best financial opportunities in Europe. It has a stadium and atmosphere that are fascinating. Florentino Perez made the “Bernabéu” an arena where watching football is a pleasure. The greatness of the club is justified by the results. “Real” collected the largest number of trophies - this is a fact. But the fact is that over the past three years he has not won anything. Many ask why so many coaches failed to create a team. The problem is that sometimes agents influence the formation of the composition there more than the trainers themselves. When in Spain it comes to professional football, it is most often referred to the movement of capital. And just somewhere here lies the reason for the failures of Real Madrid in recent years. It was painful for me to watch Zidane leave. The one and only press conference - and nothing more. “Real” should arrange a farewell match to Zidane, because this is the only level of the royal club.
- What do the fans and the public think about the president of Real Madrid Ramon Calderone and the sports director Predrag Miyatovic?
- In Spain, each new president embodies new ideas, destroys what his predecessor did. I do not exclude that the attitude towards Zidane is a consequence of the fact that he was a man of Florentino Perez ... As for Miyatovich, after the defeat of Getafe, when they started talking about the resignation of Capello, Paige showed himself on the good side - he appeared to reporters and defused the situation. The victory over “Steaua” returned to the camp of “Real” calm. But discussions continue. And this cold at the Bernabeu ... He warns of something.
- How do the public and the public perceive that David Beckham is less likely to enter the field?
- It’s not normal when such a player is released five minutes before the final whistle with a score of 4: 0. Still, he means a lot to the club in commercial terms. This question is one of those that have no answers. After losing, “Getafe” got the chances of Robinho and Guti. And they improved the game. Ronaldo’s recovery has sparked new debate about whether the team needs one center forward or two. When he was again injured, peace reigned in the house again. But I think it is short-lived. “Real” deserves to have a team whose style is recognizable without improvisation. But it’s hard to demand this from Capello. It will not change. A tick with a clockwork ticking on a Real Madrid bench ...
Prepared by Boyan SHOCH