There were much more people in the Luzhniki press center than at the famous meeting of Torpedo fans with the club’s general director Yuri Mishin at the end of the season. There were practically no free seats - only the first row was empty, where no one wanted to sit down. The most courageous was the general director of Spartak Sergey Shavlo, who, apparently, has nothing to lose.
Many went into the hall with their chairs in their hands. Sergei Petrenko was seated next to Anatoly Byshovets, but did not talk with a colleague, but tried to figure out the package of papers that were given to him at the entrance.
There was a coaching assignment that he had to complete in order to obtain a Pro license. The topic is “Technical and tactical actions of teams at the World Cup in 2006.” In general, no one will be surprised if Petrenko does not pass the exam. He himself, having read the topic, became a little nervous.
The absence of Valery Gazzayev at the meeting was striking. However, he has long made it clear that in this country he is already so large that he is not going to unite with anyone. Alexander Tarkhanov was looking for Sergei Oborin, the coach of Samara's “Wings of the Soviets”. And did not find.
Vitaliy Mutko, who took the welcoming speech, briefly (in about 25 minutes) spoke about the development strategy of Russian football. He suddenly announced that 82 artificial fields had been built recently. Watching this figure in his mouth is very curious. A week ago, for example, in Russia there were only 59 fields (and a week before - under 70).
Then spoke Nikolai Tolstykh, president of the PFL. His main idea came down to the fact that you need to meet often. At least once a year.
“I think such meetings should help Russian football get rid of the dirt in it,” said Vitaliy Mutko in the first break. “The scandals must stop.”
“And I will be bored without scandals,” Valery Petrakov, head coach of Tom, admitted good-naturedly. - If everything was smooth, even, who would be interested in Russian football?
There was unbearably much truth in his words.
- And how do you feel about the fact that Tom will be checked especially seriously next season? - asked the coach. - About this and Vitaly Mutko spoke.
“I'm fine,” Petrakov could not be confused. - We are not from Moscow, the more attention will be paid to us, the better.
Perhaps the first to escape from the hall was Sergei Yuran, who began to eagerly drink tea.
“I haven’t seen Shirko yet and can’t contact him,” he told reporters about his Shinnik’s plans. - But, of course, I would like to leave this player in the team. In general, now a lot of work. I ply between Yaroslavl and Moscow. Two hours there, two and a half back.
Seeing Oleg Romantsev, he went away to say hello.
“When they come to me with offers about working in a club, I don’t hide that I’m not going to work in big football in the near future,” Romantsev said. - Now all my thoughts are about a free boarding school for children, where they will prepare ...
“Fishermen,” one of the trainers suddenly said quietly. Romantsev did not even lead his ear.
“… Footballers,” he finished.
Nikita Simonyan, who opened the second part of the event, where the coaches were supposed to share their experience, immediately made it clear that we had nothing to learn.
“We went to Italy in 1997,” he struck into his memories. - And they admitted to us that they work there according to the methodology of Soviet coaches. Yes, all these foreigners studied with us. We need to return the "Cooper test." It immediately shows by it whether the team is ready for the season or not. Why are you looking at me, Vladimir Grigoryevich? Am I wrong?
Vladimir Fedotov nodded his head a little nervously.
“And indeed, it is necessary to return the Soviet system of training teams,” continued Simonyan.
Coaches began to slowly leave the hall. The entire Spartak team left, went on business Valery Petrakov and Sergey Petrenko. But Konstantin Sarsaniya actively cruised between the smoking room and the hall and negotiated.
Zenit will not calm down this year.
Alexey Shevchenko